Disclaimer: Bit darker then I usually write.

Debts Must be Paid

"Could you give this to Professor Dumbledore before you return to Harry?" Hermione asked.

Hedwig's head bobbed in agreement and Hermione tied the note to the owl's leg.

"Thanks girl," Hermione said with a smile.

Hedwig hopped to the edge of Hermione's desk and took off, ignoring the girl's instructions she immediately flew back to her person. She'd agreed that she could deliver the note to the old wizard, she'd never agreed that she would. The nerve of that girl, thinking she could command Harry's owl. Hedwig hooted at the thought.

"Hey girl," Harry said when she returned. "Want another owl treat?"

Hedwig hooted in excitement as she plucked the morsel from between his fingers before extending her leg to give him the message.

"What's this?" He said as he examined the unmarked envelope. "No matter." His expression turned to one of shock and confusion into one of rage as he scanned the note. "Did she ask you to deliver this to Dumbledore?"

Hedwig bobbed her head.

"Good job girl," Harry said. "Be sure to bring me any more of these things before you deliver them." Harry carefully resealed the envelope and affixed it to his owl's leg. "Do you think you could deliver it to Dumbledore now or would you rather rest a bit more?"

In response, Hedwig took off to follow her instructions.

Hedwig was flying toward the owl access window to the Headmaster's office when she saw the owl she despised most in the world, Pig the Pest as he was known throughout the Hogwarts Owlery. She noticed he was carrying a letter and the writing on the outside was in the scrawl of that red-headed Human Dustbin (she had seen his eating habits) and it was addressed to the Goat Man.

Hedwig hurried her flight and dropped of the missive from the Beaver Girl and flew back out and rested on the ledge outside the access window. As Pig approached she switched off the part of her brain that wanted to be sick at the sight of him and hooted softly, distracting Pig from his mission.

With a few soft hoots she informed Pig of where there were some particularly fat juicy insect larvae and offered to complete his delivery for him. Pig being as big a food fanatic as Ron quickly agreed and dropped the letter. This action did nothing to enhance her opinion of him, no owl worth their flight feathers would give up letter for the sake of food.

As Pig flew off she congratulated herself on her cunning and flew off to let her human read what the Human Dustbin was writing to the Goat Man, she was sure it would be worth a few extra Owl Treats, now if only she could get another owl to help...

Harry was indeed pleased by her initiative and he was quick to reward his owl with a few extra treats.

"Good job girl," he said as he stroked her feathers. "Do you think you could deliver it without letting the Headmaster see you?"

"Hoot," she agreed as she took off.

"I'm gonna need to make a short shopping trip," Harry mused to himself. Harry threw on his invisibility cloak and slipped out of the house and past his invisible guards. Marveling at how easy everything was, Harry summoned the Knight Bus and paid his fare to Diagon.

IIIIIIIIII

Dumbledore arrived in his office to find two reports from the junior Order he'd assigned to watch Harry and quickly read through them.

"Ms. Granger is as through as always," he muttered to himself. "And Mr. Weasley's contains as many spelling and grammar errors as usual. Perhaps I should look into instituting a remedial writing class?" Spending a few more moments on the the thought, he reluctantly dismissed it. Everything would have to wait until the end of the war. Until that happened, he had no time to waste on finding ways to give the students a good education.

While he deeply regretted the need to keep such a close watch on Harry, he forced himself to put aside his distaste . . . it was for the greater good after all.

IIIIIIIIII

After Harry visited Gringotts, he visited bookshops in both Diagon and Knockturn in hopes that one of his many purchases might hold the information needed to resolve one of his problems.

After completing his shopping trip, Harry made haste to return to his cell before his disappearing act was noticed.

IIIIIIIIII

"Arthur?" Molly began.

"What is it dear?"

"Can you think of any more reasons we could give Professor Dumbledore to let us take Harry again this summer?"

"What do you have written so far?"

"Just that it'll allow us to keep a closer eye on him," Molly sighed. "And that it would give him a chance to have a happier summer."

"Note that . . . that we could help him learn more about the magical world," Aurthur said slowly.

"That's right," Molly agreed. "Poor boy doesn't seem to know anything about his heritage."

IIIIIIIIII

Meanwhile, Harry was sitting in his room making an unsuccessful attempt to research the books that he'd purchased.

"Damn it," Harry cursed. There was no sense denying it, while they were filled with useful information reading books wasn't exactly one of his strengths. "If only I could still rely on Hermione," he groused. "I could have her distill everything and tell me." His eyes widened in shock and a sly grin bloomed on his face. "Why not," he asked himself. "It's for the greater good after all . . . and I will be giving her a choice." His mind made up, he spent a few minutes going through his pile of books until he found the one he was looking for.

IIIIIIIIII

Ron put the finishing touches on his report with a smile. Sometimes he couldn't believe how lucky he was that Dumbledore had chosen him to look after Harry, a few letters, a meeting once every now and then, and that was it. It was easy and the rewards were more then worth it, a bit of help with his grades, a Prefect's badge, and a few Galleons to spend on Hogsmeade weekends. Yup, agreeing to keep an eye on Harry for the Headmaster was the best thing he ever did and the best part about it was that it was all for Harry's own good.

Ron sealed up the letter and tied it to the leg of his owl, there wasn't much information in it. Just a summery of Harry's latest letter and a few suggestions on how Harry should be handled over the next year, nothing important.

IIIIIIIIII

"You know, I found something interesting about you."

The voice woke Hermione from a sound sleep and her hand shot towards her wand. "Who's there?" She demanded.

"It's me," the voice said. "Your . . . friend . . . and I found something interesting about you."

"Harry? What is it?" She asked nervously, she couldn't find her wand and she was acutely aware that she was helpless. This wouldn't normally be a problem, normally she'd be the first to tell you that Harry was harmless . . . that she'd be safe with him. But something about his manner was . . . odd.

"I learned that you've been telling Dumbledore about me," Harry said calmly. "That you've betrayed me."

"But he's Dumbledore," Hermione protested weakly. "He just wants what's best for you."

"Now now Hermione," Harry mocked. "You know better then that, care to try again?"

"He said it was for the greater good," Hermione sobbed. "He said it would all be for the best."

"You really think that it's ok to ruin someone's life because of the greater good?" Harry asked calmly, much too calmly. "To make choices for them, to enslave them, to make them your tool for the greater good."

"I'm sorry Harry," Hermione waled. "So sorry."

"That may be, but you have yet to answer the question."

"He said it was for the best."

"Should I take that as a yes then?"

"Yes," Hermione whispered. She hated herself for what she'd done, hated herself for lacking the courage to admit the nature of her crime in the months before the confrontation, and hated herself even more for ruining her friendship with 'the-boy-who-lived.'

"Wonderful," Harry said with a smile. "I knew I could count on you of all people to look at things clinically. If your goal is the greater good then your means do not matter, they justify the ends do they not?"

"I'm sorry," she chanted. Her face was in her hands so she could avoid looking at those betrayed green eyes. "Sorry sorry sorry."

"Don't be sorry," Harry said gently. "You provided me with the push I needed to do what was necessary."

"What are you going to do?" Hermione asked fearfully.

"I'm going to serve the greater good," Harry said vaguely. "Do you remember our first year? When Ron and I saved you from the troll?"

"Yes," Hermione agreed. She felt sick for betraying the boy who had saved her life. "I do."

"Excellent, then tell me; do you think you would have survived if we had not intervened?"

"No." Hermione drooped even more. "I don't."

"Then you won't contest the fact that you owe me a life debt," Harry said grandly.

"You and Ron," Hermione said. The girl was miserable, flinching at every word that came out of her former friend's mouth.

"Surprised you don't know this one," Harry's voice took on a lecturing tone. "As you were saved as a result of my actions and as Ron was there at my suggestion, your life debt belongs to me and me alone. That leaves out the fact that you were in danger as a direct result of Ron's actions which would have precluded you from owing him a life debt anyway. Do you understand?"

"Yes Harry, I understand."

"Good, very good. Can you tell me what I can demand of you because of the debt you owe me?"

"Anything," Hermione said. "Any one act, even if it would result in my death." The girl's voice calmed, she had begun to accept her fate.

"Correct," Harry said proudly, as if he were a teacher shining praise on a particularly bright student. "But don't worry, I don't plan to ask for anything that would harm you."

"You don't?" She asked with growing hope.

"Of course not," Harry said quickly. "I am your friend after all, even if you did treat that friendship . . . . well, we've already gone over that."

"Yes Harry," she said in a subdued tone.

"All I require is that you assist me in a ritual," Harry explained. "One that will not result in your death or in any physical harm. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Good," Harry said firmly. "Read this, tell me when you've mastered your part."

Hermione spent several minutes reading over the paper before recoiling in horror. "Harry . . . but this . . . "

"Will make you my slave yes," Harry agreed coldly. "Don't worry, it's for the greater good after all."

"But . . ."

"Shoe's a bit different when it's on the other foot?" He gave a cold cruel laugh. "You should have thought of that before, now read."

IIIIIIIIII

Far away, Dumbledore frowned as one of the devices on his desk began chirping. "That's odd," the old wizard said to himself. "I wonder what that means?" He pulled a thick book out of his shelf and began flipping through it. "Nothing . . . well, I suppose it could be malfunctioning?" He mused. "I'm sure it's nothing important."

IIIIIIIIII

"Listen up," Harry said after the ritual was completed. "I have several things I need you to do."

"Yes master," Hermione agreed in a subdued tone.

"You don't have to call me master," Harry said. "Unless it's to annoy me, if that is the case then you are not to do it in public only when the two of us are alone and can't be overheard."

"Yes master."

"First, I need you to find a way to get me out from under Dumbledore's thumb."

"Since you've passed your OWL exams, you have the option of leaving school. If you leave school then you are automatically emancipated."

"Who knows about this?"

"Most everyone," Hermione said dully. "We did our best to keep it from you."

"I see . . . in that case the two of us are leaving school."

"The two of us?" Hermione asked in horror.

"Afraid so," Harry agreed cheerfully. "Don't worry, it's for the greater good and we all know that no sacrifice is too big for the greater good."

"I . . . I understand master," Hermione had tears trickling down her face as she spoke. "What else do you require of me master."

"How hard is it going to be to hire a couple tutors?"

"Tutors?" Hermione asked hopefully.

"Just because I'm leaving Hogwarts doesn't mean I'm going to neglect my education," Harry explained. "I do have Voldemort to deal with after all."

"You do master," Hermione replied. "Hiring a tutor or two or even five won't be a problem master . . . will I be allowed to attend lessons with you?"

"Will you be good?"

"Yes master," Hermione said quickly.

"Then yes," Harry said, "you will be permitted to have lessons with me."

"Thank you master."

"Remember," Harry said. "I'm not doing this to punish you for betraying me, I wouldn't do that."

"Then . . . why master?"

"I need a loyal researcher," Harry said with a shrug. "This was the easiest way to make you loyal. The next thing on the agenda is that you are not to tell anyone about your new status."

"As your slave?" Hermione asked with a bit of heat.

"Yes, that."

"I understand master."

"Good, not I'm going to need you to find me a long term place to stay where I won't be disturbed . . . preferably in the magical world."

"I . . . I'm not sure I could afford that master."

"I'll cover the expenses," Harry waved off her concerns. "Just tell me what you need and why."

"Anything else master?"

"I have several books that I'm going to be leaving here," Harry said. "I need you to read them and take notes on anything that might be useful for me to know.

"That's one thing I'd be happy to do," Hermione said with a sigh.

"One last thing, I'm going to need some sort of truth potion or spell. You are to either brew or acquire it for me, same deal as before just tell me what you need in terms of money."

"I can do that master."

"Good," Harry said. "Get to it then, call this number when you're finished."

"I will."

"Then I'm not going to keep you up any longer," Harry said cheerfully. "After all, you've got a busy day ahead of you tomorrow."

"Goodbye master."

"Bye Hermione," Harry said as he threw the invisibility cloak on. "Pleasant dreams."

IIIIIIIIII

"Does anyone have any new business?" Dumbledore asked. "Then how's the watch we have on Harry going?"

"His cousin is getting a bit . . ." Arthur paused to think of a polite term. "Large, they're talking about putting everyone on a diet again."

"A couple weeks of celery won't harm Harry overly much," Dumbledore mused. "Molly?"

"I checked the boy's things while he was in the garden," Molly said. "And there are a few books that I'm concerned about. It . . . it might be a good idea to confiscate them."

"I'll trust your judgement," Dumbledore said. "Take anything you think is inappropriate for him to have."

"Thank you Headmaster," Molly said with a satisfied smile. "Does that include items?"

"Like what?"

"His invisibility cloak has done nothing but get him into trouble," Molly explained. "And the Order could use another invisibility cloak. Not to mention those horrible things Sirius gave him."

"I don't believe we should take his cloak," Dumbledore said slowly. "I am willing to admit that I made a mistake by giving it to him, I had hoped . . . no matter. As for the rest, use your best judgement and remove anything he's not mature enough to have."

"I will Headmaster," Molly agreed.

IIIIIIIIII

Hermione called Harry the next day and he was at her house in a flash to receive her report.

"Well?"

"I've accomplished most of what you wanted me to master," Hermione said in a subdued tone. "Sirius left you his house so you have a place to stay in the magic world. I've gone through the books and noted several spells and potions that could be useful."

"And the last thing?" Harry asked eagerly. "A way to tell the truth?"

"There . . . there is something I've found a reference to," Hermione said nervously. "That would allow you to know when people were trying to mislead you. It . . . it wouldn't compel them to tell the truth, but it also wouldn't do anything to tip them off that you're doing it."

"Well?"

"It's a kind of charm," Hermione said reluctantly. "I think . . . I'll need a few more books to research it."

"How much time do you need?"

"Just a couple minutes . . . I think," Hermione mumbled the last part. "I think I can work out the mechanics of the spell from these descriptions."

"Get to it then."

"Yes master."

"And hurry," Harry continued. "We have a meeting we need to go to tomorrow."

"I understand master."

IIIIIIIIII

The Order meeting was in full swing when Dumbledore stopped speaking and became very still.

"What is it Headmaster?"

"Someone's entering the wards," Dumbledore gasped. The old wizard drew his wand and faced the door.

"It's just me," Harry announced as he walked in to find a forest's worth of wands pointed at him. "Though I do appreciate the welcome, heil Dumbledore." He drew his wand and extended his wand. "You may be seated."

The wands disappeared and several grumbling witches and wizards took their seats. Though a couple muggleborns shot worried looks at the Headmaster, the meaning behind Harry's gesture seemed to have escaped the notice of the majority of the assembled Order.

"Why have you come here Harry?" Dumbledore asked in a grandfatherly voice. "You know it's not safe to be out on your own."

"I know several things," Harry replied. "For instance, did you know that I own this house?"

"I was aware of it," Dumbledore said dryly. "I wasn't aware that you were."

"And as the owner," Harry continued. "I'm afraid that I don't like the idea of so many people here unsupervised. In the future, no one is to be here without my express permission."

"Harry," Dumbledore began.

"I also know," Harry interrupted. "How little the Order has done to combat Death Eaters. Rather, you've been spending all their time spying on me and keeping me confined to my . . . to the place I live."

"It was for the greater . . ."

"Yes yes," Harry said with a yawn. "We're all well aware you think that."

"What I don't understand is how you were," Moody growled.

"I had my spy tell me," Harry replied. "Hermione, come out here."

A very subdued Hermione came through the door and took her place behind Harry.

"What have you done?" Dumbledore said in horror.

"Nothing that wasn't for the greater good," Harry replied. "Hermione here understands that . . . don't you Hermione?"

"I understand Harry," Hermione said sadly.

"See?"

"Headmaster," Molly said. "I don't understand?"

"Harry has enslaved her," Dumbledore said slowly. "Using a very ancient ritual."

"I only did what I had to do," Harry retorted. "I needed a loyal friend and the ritual gave me one."

"No," Molly whispered in shock. "You can't."

"Can't what?" Harry asked mildly.

"You can't take Ginny," Molly begged. "It was us who betrayed you, Ginny had nothing to do with it."

"True," Harry agreed. "Though that may have been due to lack of opportunity. Don't worry Mrs. Weasley, I don't believe I would have taken Ginny even if she had betrayed me."

"Why not?"

"Be quiet Ginny," Molly hushed.

"I did what I did to Hermione to insure her loyalty," Harry explained. "And because with her affinity for research, well . . . she is far too valuable to lose. You on the other hand have nothing I need . . . no offence."

"I can cook, clean, sew, knit, and I'm doing fairly well in my classes." Ginny said quickly, "my family betrayed you and I do owe you that life debt . . . please Harry."

"You actually want me to enslave you?" Harry asked in amused shock.

"I always wanted to be yours," Ginny replied. "This way I can be."

"Done," Harry said with a smile. "We'll make everything official when we get home."

"Nooo," Molly sobbed.

"Thank you . . . master."

AN: My version of the whole Harry has slaves plot. Don't generally write this sort of stuff but the idea popped into my head. I prefer humor but sometimes other things want to be written. Basic idea is that every Dark Dumbledore (or Double D as I like to call him) cliché is true. Harry's friends are spying on him, Dumbledore put him with the Dursleys to break him, etc. Harry finds out and with the help of a few life debts and a little dark magic, strikes off on his own . . . in the name of the greater good of course. After all, what good could be greater then the one that benefits him. Thought I'd mention that it could be argued that his defeating of Voldemort puts every wizard, witch, and magical creature in the UK in his debt. Thanks go to Tommy King for one of the above scenes.

Omake: Disturbed

The Order meeting was in full swing when Dumbledore stopped speaking and became very still.

"What is it Headmaster?"

"I feel a presence," Dumbledore droned. "One I've felt before."

"I told you we shouldn't have showed him that damn muggle movie but noooo, it'll be fun you said."

Omake: Gabrielle

"You don't owe me a life debt Gabrielle," Harry said in exasperation.

"But I do," the girl disagreed. "Tu saved me from ze lake."

"You were perfectly safe."

"But . . ." the girl paused to think, it was cute the way her nose scrunched up in concentration. "Ze murmen, zey 'ould 'ave killed mee."

"Why?"

"Um . . . zair eez a seekret war wiv ze murmen and ze Veela, so zay ould 'ave killed mee."

"Hermione?"

"I've never heard of it master," Hermione said quickly.

"But of course," Gabrielle said smugly. "It eez a seekret . . . master."

"No."

"Please?"

"Don't you think I have enough girls?"

"No master," Gabrielle said as she cuddled up to his side.

Omake: Luna

"Hello Harry," Luna said cheerfully. "Are you here to enslave me now?"

"Uh . . . no Luna, I was just dropping by to say Hello."

"Why not?" The girl asked with a pout.

"Well . . . you don't owe me a life debt and you haven't betrayed me . . . have you?"

"No but I was hoping that you wouldn't let that stop you," Luna replied. "Please? Or if you won't make me a slave then will you be my boyfriend?"

"You want to be my girlfriend?"

"Uh huh," Luna agreed.

"And you don't mind that I've got a few slaves . . . that happen to be good looking witches that would do anything I tell them?"

"Why would I?" Luna asked in confusion. "You'll share right?"

"Share?"

"When you have them do kinky things," Luna said. "I can join in can't I?"

"Uh . . . sure Luna."

"Then of course I don't mind," Luna said quickly. "I'm not sure why I would."

"Wanna go on a date then?"

"Can we go to the zoo?" Luna asked in excitement. "I love feeding the monkeys."

"Sure Luna."

"And the lion is always so happy when he eats them," Luna added as they walked out the door.

"Eats . . . the monkeys?"

"What else would he eat?"

Omake/insert for "Debts" by donelsenheimer

Hermione woke up the next morning feeling far more relaxed, warm, and … aroused…than she should have, all things considered. It took her a few seconds to realize why.

"Dobby!" she cried, once she pulled up her comforter. "What are you doing down there?"

The House-elf crawled out from underneath the blanket, sat down on the pillow next to Hermione's head, and asked, "Were you having pleasant dreams, Mione?"

Not wanting to admit the truth, she changed answered the question with a question. "Why are you here, Dobby?"

"A good slave always help a fellow slave obey his Master."

"What?"

"Master ordered his slave to have pleasant dreams before he left. Dobby was helping Mione obey her Master."

"But…but… what do you mean?" Hermione asked. "How did you know?"

"A Master's chief slave always knows…Dobby was so happy for Mione and Master."

"But Dobby, I thought that you were a free elf?"

Dobby nodded back and forth. "I was free to decide to become Master's first slave." He then stood up on the pillow, pulled the hem of his small tunic up under his armpits and exposed a small tattoo on his inner thigh (and in the process exposing far more House-elf than Hermione would have wanted to see).

He pointed towards Potter crest that was inked into his skin and announced, "Just like Mione!"

Shocked more by what he was saying than what he was exposing, Hermione quickly ducked under the sheets for a self-inspection.

"Eep!"

After Hermione covered herself back up, she asked, "But….but… you don't call Harry Master,'…did me make you keep it a secret too?"

Dobby nodded seriously. "Master Harry told me to keep it a secret… even to himself!"

"So he doesn't know that you're his slave?"

"Master told Dobby to make him forget. But Mione mustn't tell Master… a good slave always help a fellow slave obey her Master."

AN: My idea is that House Elf magic is bestowed upon them so that they can better serve their masters. When a house elf is freed, he or she loses their magic. Harry agreed to become Dobby's master after his
second year so that Dobby could keep his magic, but didn't want to know he owned a slave…so he ordered Dobby to obliviate him of the fact.

When Hermione becomes a slave, she automatically gains these additional powers (e.g. she can now do wandless magic, knows how to cook, doesn't need to sleep much, and can apparate through wards just
like House-elves do). These skills would obviously come in handy as she tries to follow her Master's orders.