Kevin stammered. "But, the law-"
She shook her head. "-This isn't like muggle contract law, Kevin, where the courts interpret and enforce. In this world, magic also has a say, and the penalties for breaking a magical contract can be enforced instantly. Often, a fine doesn't even need to be brought to Gringotts - the money just automatically moves from one vault to another. And that's to say nothing of the more… physical… penalties."
Sophie was now taking notes at a furious pace, the back of her notebook flipped over many times, dangling over her knees.
"Now, because we are still minors, there's a limit to what we can accidentally sign, although it can still be nasty. But once you're an adult, there's almost no limit. You can theoretically enslave yourself."
"Only theoretically?" Dean asked, looking extremely worried.
Hermione looked towards Portrait Elizabeth, who answered.
"The Wizengamot and ICW made actual slavery of human beings illegal quite some time ago, but magic doesn't recognise those laws. You can still be enslaved by contract, but it is illegal to do so. If it's found out, the courts can order the slave owner to break the contract or face extreme penalties."
"And if it's not found out?" Sophie asked in a quite voice, looking up from her notebook.
Portrait Elizabeth shrugged. "I daresay there are a few unfortunate souls hidden away out there - who signed the wrong thing, at the wrong time, to the wrong person."
The assembled young witches and wizards all shuddered.
...
Harry made his way to the fideliused spot in the library, satisfied that Hermione was handling herself just fine. He dropped into his trunk, and emerged minutes later as Lord Slytherin, ready, aged, and masked.
He met an impeccably dressed Daphne in the entrance hall, and together they made their way down to the dungeons, stared at by every wide-eyed student they met.
As they descended the stairs into Slytherin territory, Harry felt the welcoming magics wash through him. He smiled. "Daphne?"
"Yes, my lord?"
He reached into his robes. "Read this."
Daphne took the parchment, unfolded it and read the first few lines. "From the Black Heiress?"
"Indeed."
Daphne read some more. Her eyes widened. "Necromancy?" she whispered.
"Any magic that affects the dead is necromancy."
"But…" she read some more. "But it sounds like this isn't the first time she's used it."
"The letter does give that impression, doesn't it?"
Daphne folded the parchment up and handed it back. "The Black Library must be incredible."
Harry frowned. "Yes, I really should do something about that… it would be a shame to lose it."
They arrived at a door marked, 'SLYTHERIN HEAD OF HOUSE'. Harry knocked. The door opened. They both entered.
...
For the next twenty minutes, Harry sat opposite the Baron, Daphne at his side, while they went over the half-dozen or so issues he had with the house, everything from punishments for use of certain words, to the layout of the common-room.
All in all, it was a productive session, and Harry was starting to think the long term advantages of the Baron as head of house might outweigh the downsides. The ghost was old fashioned and very big on the idea of feudal loyalty, in a way that their first choice, Lord Slughorn's nephew, Horace Slughorn, was less likely to be.
Once they'd ploughed through the administrative issues, the Baron floated up from the desk. "My lord," he intoned, his chains clanking and chinking as they passed through the woodwork. "Was there anything… else?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, Baron. I have recently been in contact with a young ghost seeking a more populated home. I wish to bring her under my protection and host her in the castle."
The baron went silent for a moment before answering. "That is not my power alone to grant. The ghosts council is separate from the living, and not bound to their will. You would have to plead your case to them."
Harry nodded. "And you could set up a meeting with the council and act as my advocate?"
The baron bowed low, passing slightly through the desk again. "Of course, my lord."
...
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