Dumbledore approached. The old headmaster was quite unsure about what to make out of this duel. Initially, he feared that Draco would win. That could not bode well, as that would make the Malfoy family practically unstoppable, and the Malfoys were already enjoying more influence than was right. Yet he didn't expect such a spectacular public beating of Draco, and that had some important implications as well. None of this featured in his plans and he was wondering if they still had any value. "Mr Potter, if you don't mind, I'd like to have a word with you, concerning the results of this duel."
Harry looked at him, somewhat confused. "Alright, go ahead."
"Privately, in my office, if you don't mind. I don't think it's wise to speak of such matters here, in front of the whole school."
'We should listen to what he says,' he heard Hermione in his mind. 'We may have some doubts about him, but he's still a powerful and knowledgeable wizard.'
Harry nodded at Dumbledore. He then grabbed Hermione's hand and let the headmaster lead them to his office.
"I only wanted to talk to you," Dumbledore said, not really wanting any audience for this conversation.
"I tell Hermione everything, so it will be much easier if she hears it all to start with, saving me telling her and answering her questions."
The headmaster nodded, not quite sure what the right way to handle this unexpected development was. He still led them to his office.
Dumbledore looked at the two children, who sat patiently in front of him. They looked no different than other first-year students, and he had to remind himself that they were probably a couple with potentially more political, social, and financial power than he could ever achieve.
Judging by the way the duel had gone, he felt quite sure that Harry, at least, was also very powerful magically, and quite more knowledgeable than he could expect, judging by the way he'd been raised. None of these facts featured in his plans. He wondered if these plans were even worth saving, after finding out what this child was capable of.
He had to remind himself not to continue his musings. It was extremely impolite to let a future Lord wait too long for him to speak.
"You must be wondering why I asked to speak with you, once the duel was over. You should know that this duel is much more meaningful than it may seem to be, although, as you've not grown in our society, you may not yet understand its full implications. Before I go into details, can you enlighten me on why you insisted on the duel?"
Harry shrugged. "I don't think Draco Malfoy thought of all the implications either. I suspect he suggested a duel tonight in order to make me break curfew and get in trouble. I don't think he really intended to duel, and he was probably unaware of all that such a duel meant."
"Do you know exactly what it meant?" Dumbledore asked.
"Not precisely. I've read a few books about the wizarding world since I got my letter, trying to better understand the world I was going into. There's probably a lot that I don't know or don't understand correctly."
Dumbledore nodded. It was good that the lad had some modesty. Maybe he could use that to gain some influence. "In that case, let me explain this. A wizard's duel is normally held only between grown-ups. It is a very serious matter and may have grave consequences for the loser, although it may affect the winner almost as much. Therefore, very few duels are fought, and only when the parties can't reach any settlement in other ways. Once the duel is finished, the loser becomes a vassal of the winner, and all his material belongings become the winner's. In this case, things are a bit more complicated, as Draco challenged you without his father's consent. You cannot ask Lucius Malfoy to pass all his money to you, only whatever is his son's, which currently is not much. He has a trust vault for his tuition, just as you have, and you may take it as yours. Other than that, there's little such a child can really call his own right now, yet this is bound to change in the future. Whatever Draco inherits at any time will become yours, including the position of head-of-house, whenever his father dies."
Most of this was no news for Harry, yet he nodded.
"You said it may affect the winner as well. How?" Harry asked.
"As Draco is your vassal now, you become responsible for him. This may prove to be quite a burden, especially since that boy will not accept your authority without some more fight, as his actions following the duel showed," Dumbledore explained.
"Shouldn't I ask him to give me a vow? If he refuses, can't I disown him?"
The old man sighed. "It's not that simple. A vow should be taken willingly for it to hold, and I doubt he will do it. Then, if you disown him, you lose all the future benefits of your victory. I suggest you give serious thought to what the best way to handle this is. Until you decide, keep his wand with you, just to be safe, except during lessons when he needs it."
Harry gave it a thought and then smiled. "I think I should also take his runic enhancer. This will let everybody see how powerless he really is."
"How do you know about this?" The surprise was evident in the old man's voice.
Harry had no intention of telling about his Legilimency. "I've read about such stones, used by those who are near squibs otherwise, and Malfoy seemed quite the type to use such."
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, that would make his presence much safer, although it will not endear you to him."
"Maybe I should also ask to see whatever mail he gets, just in case his parents send him another," Harry suggested.
Dumbledore nodded gravely. "I can redirect his mail to you if you'd like, but is it wise?"
Hermione intervened. "Headmaster, Draco has been a thorn in our school life since the first day. Harry must have as full control over him as he can if we want to neutralize the danger he represents, so checking his mail is quite wise, the way I see it."
The headmaster was surprised at the strong connection of the two. They seemed to act like a confirmed couple, despite their young age. He'd need to think some more about it at another time.
"Very well, Miss Granger. I'll have all of Mr Malfoy's mail redirected to Mr Potter. Once he checks it over, he may send it to him. Mail from Mr Potter to Draco will not be redirected, of course."
Harry smiled hearing that. "What shall we do about his wand, though, and how will we get his runic stone?"
The headmaster gave it a thought. "I suggest you leave his wand here, and I'll hand it to the different teachers as needed, and make sure they take it back as soon as their lessons are over. As for that stone… I believe you may ask him to hand it over. Being your vassal he is magically obliged to obey your direct orders. Try to do it in a less public manner, not to antagonize him any more than strictly unavoidable. I'll make sure to cast the mail redirection wards as soon as we finish our conversation."
"Is there anything else, headmaster?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore shook his head. "I believe that concludes what I considered important to discuss. Is there anything else you would like now?"
"No, Headmaster. I think we had more than enough excitement for this evening. It looks like we need to get our rest now."
"Of course, Mr Potter, Ms Granger. Have a pleasant night."
Harry stood up. "Goodnight, headmaster," both children said, as they held hands and left. Dumbledore kept looking at the closed door for quite a while longer. Young Mr Potter was becoming an enigma for him. The boy was open and forthcoming, like any good Gryffindor, yet… there was some underlying strength and determination that was way beyond what children this age had. Was it the bond he was sharing with that girl, or was it something else? Whatever it was, the headmaster shuddered at the idea of confronting it. Draco's humiliation would turn pale in comparison if anybody stood in this young man's way, he was sure. He hoped that young Harry would stay firmly on the light side. He dreaded the idea of such a powerful duo turning dark.
–..–
The two children reached the Gryffindor tower, but neither was ready to go to bed. They settled on the sofa in the common room and cuddled together. Hermione's love made Harry feel his body and mind relax. He hugged her tighter, and she seemed to relax just as well. Neither felt a need to talk for quite a while.
–..–
The next time they saw Draco was at breakfast. Although he still had Crabbe and Goyle at his sides, nobody else seemed to want to be close to him. This didn't help improve his mood. Harry wasn't sure how to act about the runic stone, though.
'You may just ask him to come with you to a side corridor,' he heard Hermione in his mind. 'He must obey a direct command, you know.'
This made Harry smile. 'Fine. Let's enjoy our breakfast first and handle Draco on fuller bellies.'
Yet Draco seemed to have different ideas. He ate his meal quickly and walked to the door before Harry and Hermione had finished half their food. Harry wouldn't let him escape so easily, though. "Draco, come sit with us! I need to talk a bit with you," he said before the blond took more than a few steps away from the table.
Draco grimaced. It was evident that he didn't want to do that, but had no choice. He came forward and sat at Harry's side, leaving his bodyguards behind, both looking quite confused.
"I need you to hand me the runic enhancer you carry in your pocket," Harry told him quietly but firmly.
"You can't take it from me!" Draco sounded alarmed. "My father forbade me to take it out, no matter what."
"Your father has no say in this," Harry told him, just as firmly. "As you're preaching pureblood supremacy, I think you should let everybody know how powerful you really are. That may work wonders in showing how much of a lie this whole concept is. Now, hand that stone over!"
Draco had no choice but to do as commanded. He still repeated his phrase, "Wait till my father knows of this!"
Harry smiled. "I'm looking forward to that. By all means, if you feel you need to tell him, do so. I'm not so sure you'll enjoy his reply, though."
As if prompted by his words, the morning mail was just coming in. Several owls landed in front of Harry, and Draco seemed to recognize them. He tried to grab the letter closest to him, only to be pecked painfully by the owl, that lifted its leg patiently for Harry to take the letter.
Harry opened it and smirked internally, keeping his face blank. He then passed it to Draco, who took it eagerly. Draco's face turned less eager as he read on. 'His father has some very harsh words for him, almost threatening to disown him for what he did yesterday,' Harry told Hermione.
While Draco was still trying to understand why his father had reacted this way, Harry checked two more letters. One was from Draco's mother, trying to console her son and make him see this as an opportunity to learn about some aspects of life that he had never had a chance to. The other was more interesting, though. It was also sent by Draco's mother, but it was addressed to Scion Potter. "I'm not at all happy with how Draco grew up, with too much influence from his father. I hope that you, ScionPotter, will eventually be able to lead him on the right way and turn him into the man I wanted him to become, had my husband not interfered. You may ask me for any help you need in this endeavour, as long as it is discreet and doesn't need to involve his father."
Harry showed this letter to Hermione. She smiled reading it. 'Looks like we have an unexpected ally. We should keep her informed to keep her on our side.'
"Who was that letter from?" Draco asked as Harry folded the last letter to put in his pocket.
"It was a private matter. I gave you all your mail. Now, I think we should all go to our classes."
Draco seemed to be boiling inside, but there was nothing he could do. He quickly stepped away, signalling his two thugs to follow. Harry and Hermione left the Great Hall at a more leisurely pace a moment later.