Chapter 2: The Butler, Reasoning
Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling. I own nothing.
Daphne reclined in the bath. Normally, she would take this opportunity to relax, however today she was bugged by the visit of her headmaster and his two tag-alongs.
"Sebastian, what did the Headmaster want to talk to you about?"
"I was unaware that you had seen us conversing, my lady." Sebastian chuckled "He was merely curious as to how I was going to serve you over the coming year."
Flashback:
"Please allow me to show you the door."
"Thank you, Mr. Sebastian." Hermione smiled politely. Ron merely nodded as he followed her out. Professor Dumbledore stopped for a moment and observed the butler. Though he couldn't quite place it, he felt as though he had met the man before.
"Tell me, Sebastian, what will you do when Miss Greengrass returns to Hogwarts?"
"It is my duty to serve the young mistress. That is all."
"But how will you serve her when she is away in school."
"As I said, Headmaster. I serve the young mistress. Her well being is paramount."
"You intend to stay with her then?"
"If it pleases the young mistress, I shall."
"Hmm, I think I may be able to help you."
End Flashback:
"He offered you a job? Whatever for?"
"I imagine that in offering me a job, it would ensure that I was close to you, thus winning your favour."
"As well as putting you right under his nose, where he could examine your every move." Daphne frowned. "What did you say?" she asked, turning to look at her butler.
"I told him that the decision was not mine to make."
"I've trained you well, Sebastian."
"Indeed, my lady."
"What position did he offer you."
"Defence Against the Dark Arts, my lady."
"The cursed position." she sighed, turning back to examining the ceiling.
"Indeed. It appears as if the Ministry is trying to appoint their own Professor."
"Why would they do that?...Unless. Unless they were scared."
"Scared, my lady? Whatever of?"
"Unless they were scared of Dumbledore."
"He is a world renowned wizard." Sebastian agreed "However, the media has portrayed him as something of a loon as of late."
"Thus, appointing their own Professor could be used to show the public that they're monitoring his behaviour. In all actuality, they're spying on him."
"That makes sense. What of your opinion, my lady? Is he someone we can trust?"
"I don't know. I wish I could just say yes, but he's stuck in his ways. I think in my new world, he shall have no place."
"He didn't seem to trust you a great deal."
"No, the Greengrass family has always remained neutral, though with tendencies towards the dark. Under my rule, we'll find out which side we truly are." Daphne declared. She looked over to Sebastian again, her eyes seemed to show raw, naked emotion, even leaking into her usually impassive voice, "Sebastian, you'll stay with me, won't you? No matter what? Even if I have to go into the darkest depths magic?"
"Of course, my fair lady."
Daphne smiled a genuine smile. "Thank you, Sebastian." She sighed and thought for a moment. Dumbledore wanted Sebastian in the castle to win her favour and so Dumbledore could spy on him. On the other hand, there was no reason at all the Sebastian couldn't do the spying himself.
"Sebastian, I want you to refuse the job. If the Ministry doesn't trust Dumbledore, then we can exploit that. Did he happen to mention who it is that the Ministry are trying to place in Hogwarts?"
"Dolores Umbridge, my lady."
"Umbridge. Yes, I know her. She's known for being a blood purist, as well as hopelessly devoted to that moron, Fudge. There's even been rumors that she's in possession of some rather dark artifacts."
"I see, and would these dark artifacts be travelling with her to Hogwarts?"
"I would imagine so."
"So, you wish for Ms. Umbridge to spy on the headmaster, then have her exposed."
"Yes, after we've taken what she know's from her." Daphne nodded.
"Very well, my lady." Sebastian nodded
"In the meantime, I want you to spy on Dumbledore, and the members of staff that are members of the Order."
"Is this an order, my lady?"
"Yes, I order you to spy on the Order, and report your findings to me."
"Yes, my fair lady."
"Thank you, Sebastian." Daphne said, standing up. She held her arms out, and let Sebastian wrap a towel around her torso, and help her out of the bath. Whilst Sebastian toweled her dry, Daphne thought about the coming school year. Soon, the whole school, and the Order would be at her mercy. When she was dry, Sebastian helped her into her nightclothes, and Daphne strolled out of the bathroom, and into her chambers. Collapsing on the bed, she reflected on the day. 'It really has been a long day. I wonder if things will get any easier when we get back to Hogwarts?'
"Young mistress, I've brought you your hot milk." Sebastian entered the room. Seeing his young mistress was already asleep, he tucked her into bed, and turned out the lights, before leaving the room.
"I believe that I'll begin the task you assigned me earlier than anticipated, my young mistress." he smiled to himself, as he walked down the corridor, finally reaching the doors that opened up onto the balcony. Throwing open a set of doors, he stepped out onto the balcony, and disappeared into the night.
At Number 12 Grimmauld Place, the Order was currently in a meeting regarding the disappearance of Harry Potter.
"Albus, we can't give up!" Molly Weasley exclaimed.
"I know that Molly, but there's very little else we can do."
"Can't we trace his wand?" Molly exclaimed
"Or what about the trace itself?" asked Sirius Black, Harry's godfather.
"Neither are viable options I'm afraid. The trace on Harry's wand has detected he hasn't so much as touched it since the Triwizard tournament, and the trace is showing that he doesn't exist."
"Which means that either someone in the Ministry doesn't want us finding him, or he's dead. Or both." Mad Eye Moody growled.
"That is a very real possibility." sighed Dumbledore.
Before any of them could add anything more, Kreacher entered, carrying a roll of parchment.
"Kreacher, what are you doing in here, you sad sack of bones?" Sirius roared
"Kreacher is bringing this to Master." Kreacher said, holding up the parchment "But Kreacher is not happy about his Master." he muttered under his breath. Sirius snatched the parchment away from Kreacher.
"Away with you, Kreacher." he snapped. Kreacher shuffled out of the kitchen. Sirius unrolled the parchment. "It just say's 'Sebastian will not be teaching at Hogwarts.- D. Greengrass.'. What the heck does that mean?" said Sirius.
"Ah." nodded Albus. "That wasn't quite the response I had been hoping for."
"Albus? What does it mean?"
"As you know, the Greengrass family has always remained neutral, though they tend to lean towards the dark if pushed. Recently, Mr and Mrs Greengrass refused to join with the Death Eaters and were killed. I visited Miss Daphne Greengrass earlier today and asked her to consider moving to Grimmauld Place until the school year begins. However, she refused the offer and remains at Greengrass Manor."
"What? But she's just a child, she should be here, with us." Molly ranted
"Yes, yes, I quite agree Molly, but that is her choice to make. Her butler, Sebastian, is fiercely loyal and has sworn to protect her. It would appear that he is more than capable of doing so."
"A butler cannot protect her from the Dark Lord!"
"This butler seemed… Different somehow. He appeared familiar, yet I have never met him before. I offered him the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher to win favour with Miss Greengrass, and so that I could keep an eye on him."
"Seem's like she saw right through you, Albus." said Moody, fighting the urge to chuckle.
"Indeed. It seems that the Ministry will be appointing their own member of staff. Dolores Umbridge."
"I don't know the name, but I take it that you're not happy about that, Albus."
"She's Under Secretary to the Minister, typical Slytherin. I believe that she'll go to any lengths to get Minister Fudge what he wants."
"And what would that be?" asked Sirius.
"Easy, boy!" barked Moody "He wants Albus discredited, that way, no-one will oppose him."
"Geez, Harry disappears and the whole world starts falling apart." Sirius muttered, leaning back in his chair.
"Indeed." Nodded Albus "I can only hope and pray that he's well."