The Rightful Heir of Slytherin (Year 6 - Book 1)

Ch9: Contract

Dumbledore: Miss Sarea. I take it you've made a decision?

He notices Emilia enter behind us as we move forward and take our seats across from him around his desk but doesn't comment on it. 

Me: I have.

The headmaster smiles, clearly knowing that I've accepted his offer. To be fair, it takes nothing from us but our time and given we both have tons of spare time with nothing to do, we might as well use it to strengthen ourselves even further.

Me: We accept.

Dumbledore: Marvelous.

Me: However, Emilia will join us.

All: What?

Me: We have an arrangement right now which will see her need to learn advanced magic ahead of schedule.

Dumbledore: I-

Me: Don't ask. You really don't want to know.

Dumbledore: Hmmm.

Surprisingly, he doesn't push further but the glint in his eye tells me he has at minimum some idea of what is going on. After some consideration, he accepts on the condition that we ourselves teach her some spells to help bridge the gap between where we'll begin in those classes and where she currently is. 

Emilia: Can I really manage such, Headmaster?

Me: You will.

Emilia falls silent but I can tell she wants to speak with the headmaster privately so after a few more words with Dumbledore surrounding the general basics of what this plan of his will entail, both Valentina and I leave. The minute we're through the door, Emilia begins speaking but unbeknownst to her we can hear the conversation.

Emilia: Professor Dumbledore.

Dumbledore: Yes, Miss Snyde?

Emilia: I have something to ask you.

Dumbledore: Go on.

Emilia: Please tell me what this is.

There's some silence for a while during which I wish we could also see inside but doing so would require magic as we don't have the appropriate tools with us and that would almost certainly give away our position.

Dumbledore: When did it first appear around your neck?

Emilia: Today.

Dumbledore: What did you do before it appeared?

Emilia remains silent but after Dumbledore urges her to speak as it could mean the difference between life and death she finally divulges that she'd just agreed to serve me when it appeared. Hearing this, it becomes clear what happened. She must've been bound to me in the same way Valentina was the first time we came across each other long ago. She had a vine-like collar appear around her neck as well, more akin to a tattoo than a necklace as it had the appearance and texture of paint on skin. It wasn't until later on that we'd find out it represented a contract between us in which I became her owner and the magical collar acted as a magical slave collar. 

When I found this out, I attempted to break it but alas, nothing worked so we had to get used to the new norm of her serving me. It took a while but we eventually became good friends but the dynamic still remained, even after the collar itself disappeared visually.

Dumbledore: I see. So that's why they wanted you to also join... never mind. For all intents and purposes, the contract you've signed with her is unbreakable by modern magic. I suspect she's the only one capable of removing the bind.

Emilia: But-

Dumbledore: That's what it means to willingly serve a witch or wizard, Miss Snyde. Thankfully, you promised yourself to her and not someone else as that could prove far worse.

Emilia: What do you mean?

Dumbledore: This thing around your neck will force you to do anything and everything she asks of you. In the wrong hands...

Valentina snickers at that. 

Dumbledore: That said, I'll speak to her about this and the use of this magic within these grounds going forward. 

Emilia: I understand, sir.

Dumbledore: Miss Sarea, you can come in now.

So he knew we were here? I should have known. Dumbledore...I'll need to be wary of him going forward. Something tells me he might just be the most powerful wizard in the world at present.