Chapter 7: The Butler, Revealed
"Heh,heh,heh." Tracey giggled. "So it's true. You were human once, and you sacrificed your humanity to become the butler to Daphne. That's very dark magic. Naughty Mr. Butler.". She pushed the blade deeper into Sebastian's back.
"Sebastian!" yelled Daphne. "I order you to stop her!"
"Yes, my fair lady." replied Sebastian. The butler pushed himself back towards Tracy, impaling himself further on the blade. He spun himself around, yanking the hilt of the blade from Tracy's hand.
"Urgh, you filthy, soulless wretch! Why can't you just die?!" screamed Tracey.
"My apologies, Miss Davis." smiled Sebastian, pulling the blade from out of his chest. "But, I believe this is yours.". He swung his arm, releasing the blade, sending it hurtling towards her. Tracy put her arms out to defend herself. She screamed as the blade embedded itself in her left forearm. Lowering her arms, she stared at the wound in shock.
"Ah! You… You… " she gasped. She wrapped a hand around the hilt of the blade and pulled. The blade slowly inched its way out of her arm, covered in blood and gristle. She eyed Sebastian with undisguised hatred, the blade in her right hand, her left arm hanging uselessly at her side.
"Tracy!". Both Butler and Collector turned to the source of the voice. Daphne was stood to the side of them, shock and confusion on her face, tears brimming in her eyes. "Tracy! Please stop this, please!". Tracy looked back to Sebastian, and quickly cast a glance at her damaged arm. There was no way she could beat Sebastian, not in this state.
"You win this round Mr. Butler." Tracy snarled. She turned, and using her blade, slashed at a space behind her. A glowing blue portal opened. "But we'll meet again, Sebastian… Or should I say… Harry Potter?" she grinned maniacally at the dark haired man, before stepping into the portal, and sealing it shut behind her.
"What was that?" asked Daphne.
"I would hazard a guess that it was a portal to a different realm. One that co-exists with our own. The blade she carried must have acted as a key, hence why we were unable to see it earlier. For all intents and purposes, it didn't exist here." replied Sebastian, walking over to her. "Are you alright, young mistress?"
"Yes, I'm alright. Do you remember our plan? We haven't much time."
"Indeed, young mistress. We must hurry."
"Let's get back to the Great Hall, where's Astoria?" asked Daphne, looking around for the younger blonde. What she saw shocked her. Astoria was lying unconscious in the snow, and above her, stood Albus Dumbledore, his wand pointing at Daphne. He frowned at Sebastian.
"Harry?"
"Dammit!" muttered Daphne. "He must have overheard Tracy, maybe he even saw your memories."
"Indeed, young mistress." nodded Sebastian. "What would you have me do?"
"Can you get Astoria out of here?"
"Yes, young mistress."
"Very well, I order you to take Astoria back to Greengrass Manor, then return for me." she muttered, careful not to let Dumbledore hear her.
"Yes, my fair lady."
Sebastian moved faster than Dumbledore could have expected. He scooped Astoria up in his arms, and vanished.
"Where is he?" asked Dumbledore. "WHERE IS HE?!"
"Gone." Daphne shrugged.
"Tonks! Sirius!" Dumbledore yelled. "Keep your wands on her, take her to my office.". Tonks and Sirius came running from the entrance hall and each approached Daphne on either side. Daphne raised her hands, and began walking to Dumbledore's office. As she walked, her mind began calculating all the possible ways that this could end. 'They could kill me, torture me, give me Veritaserum. Sebastian had best hurry back.'
Sebastian lay Astoria down in her bed at Greengrass Manor. The young blonde stirred slightly, and blearily opened her eyes. "Sebastian?"
"Yes, miss."
"What happened?"
"Nothing for you to worry about, miss. Please, rest."
"Where's Daphne?" Astoria asked, trying to sit up. Sebastian placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I am just about to go and collect her, please drink this." he said, handing her a potion.
"What is it?"
"Dreamless Sleep Potion." he said. "It'll help you rest. When you awaken, your sister will be here, safe and sound."
"You promise?" Astoria asked, a slight tone of disbelief in her voice.
"I am incapable of lying, miss." Sebastian smiled at her, as she drank the potion. Astoria's eyes slowly closed, and her breathing steadied. Sebastian tucked her in, and turned to leave. "Manipulating the truth however, is an entirely different matter."
Daphne sat in Dumbledore's office, having been roughly pushed into the chair by Mad Eye Moody. Ron had held her mouth open, whilst Hermione had administered the Veritaserum. "State your name." ordered Dumbledore.
"Daphne Jasmine Greengrass." said Daphne, her eyes blank, her voice monotone.
"How old are you?"
"16."
"What house are you in?"
"Slytherin." Daphne replied. Dumbledore narrowed his eyes. Apparently that was a crime in and of itself.
"Do you know the location of Harry James Potter?"
"No."
"What? But the Davis girl said your butler is Harry Potter. Is that not true?"
"No."
"Explain yourself, girl."
"She said he was Harry Potter. Not he is."
"What the hell does that mean?" yelled Dumbledore, his patience growing thin.
"It means my butler is Sebastian. Not Harry Potter."
"Was he once known as Harry Potter."
"He's always been Sebastian. I named him myself."
"You stupid girl!" Dumbledore yelled, his patience finally gone, he raised his hand. Before it could make contact with Daphne, he felt a vice like grip on his wrist. He turned, and came face to face with Sebastian.
"My apologies, Headmaster. But, I cannot allow anyone to harm the young mistress." the butler smiled, before pushing the headmaster away. Dumbledore was knocked back a few steps.
"Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"My apologies, but I am simply a butler."
"No, my boy. You are our saviour. The boy who lived. Harry James Potter. Come back to us, we must prepare you for your part in the war."
"I am aware of my part in the war. It is by the side of the young mistress.". At this, he turned to Daphne. "Young mistress, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, thank you Sebastian."
"Harry?" asked Hermione, timidly.
"Miss Granger, I'm afraid you're quite mistaken."
"No, I'm not." she said, shaking her head. "Your eyes. They're Harry's eyes. What did she do to you?"
"Dark magic." spat Ron.
"The Laborare Domina curse." sighed Dumbledore.
"What? I've never heard of that." frowned Hermione.
"It's something like the Imperius Curse." said Dumbledore. "The person whom the curse is used upon, surrenders their soul to the one casting the curse. They become devoted to that person. Is that the curse you used on Harry?"
"You're finally asking the right questions, old man." Daphne smiled "Yes, I used that curse on Harry."
"You evil cow!" spat Hermione. "You enslaved him, that completely goes against his human rights!"
"Oh yes, I treat him horribly, don't I, Sebastian?"
"Indeed, young mistress."
"You even have him calling you 'young mistress'. How pathetic."
"If that is all." Daphne said, standing, "I'd rather like to be going now."
"Can you release Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"I'm not entirely sure." shrugged Daphne. "I don't think I want to right now."
"The Veritaserum must be wearing off." said Ron.
"Or, it was never really working." frowned Dumbledore.
"Bingo." smirked Daphne. "With strong enough Occlumency shields, I could trick you into thinking I was under the effects of the potion, whilst still retaining control of my secrets."
"That sounds like dark magic to me." said Ron.
"Weasley, everything sounds like dark magic to you. If your toast is burnt, you think it's dark magic. If you run out of toothpaste, you think it's dark magic. Hell, you thought it was dark magic when you tripped on your shoelaces in the second year." Daphne sighed, growing tired of Ron's stupidity. "Now then, if you'll excuse me.". Daphne turned to the door, and made to leave. She didn't notice Dumbledore, surreptitiously draw his wand. The headmaster quickly waved his wand.
"Laborare Hominis!" he spell sped towards Daphne. Sebastian leapt forward and wrapped himself around Daphne, letting the spell hit him in the back. The office was silent for a moment. Daphne looked back at Sebastian.
"Sebastian! Are you alright?". The butler was silent.
"Harry? Can you hear me?" asked Dumbledore.
"Yes, wise master." the dark haired man replied. "I can hear you."