-Kreacher Comforts
(about 7-9 months after the Second Battle of Hogwarts, end of Christmas Holiday)

The first step was getting rid of that awful painting. It would be impossible to make changes to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black with the portrait of Walburga Black screaming about half-bloods and blood-traitors destroying her home. Of course, in the fourteen years since it had been stuck to the wall with a permanent sticking charm, numerous wizards had tried and failed to remove it from its prominent spot in the main hall.

Harry stood with his arms crossed, wand tucked into the crook of his arm, and glared at the ugly yellow-skinned woman. Her eyes had stopped rolling long enough to glare back at him, and for once, she had apparently run out of things to yell at Harry about. "There's a week left of Christmas Holiday, and I will find a way to remove your hideous mug before I return to Hogwarts," Harry said to himself, hoping that hearing it would enable him to think of a solution to the problem. Harry immediately wished he had kept the thought inside his head.

"Filthy Half-Blood Blood-Traitor, disgracing the The Most Noble and Ancient House of Black merely by association! Can't even finish your education in a reasonable amount of years! I have nothing to fear of your supposed' deadlines, Do I boy?!"

"If you want to talk about Dead Lines Walburga, start with your own. I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did, infected with so much inbreeding… although I guess it did crank out a few good ones before snuffing itself out."

"Tea, Master?"

Harry whirled around at the sound of Kreacher's voice. He still wasn't used to the old House Elf's new, and much improved, attitude. Harry's eyes fell to the locket around the Elf's neck and his mouth turned itself into a polite smile before addressing him. "No Thanks Kreacher, I'm trying to figure out how to get rid of this," he poked his wand at the canvas and Walburga recoiled in disgust. Harry continued to ponder the portrait allowing Kreacher to do whatever it was that House Elves did when their houses were clean and their Masters' were fed. So Kreacher's short, deliberate cough a few minutes later surprised Harry even more than his original inquiry.

When Harry turned to look at him, there was an odd look in his large eyes. He eyed Harry, and then Walburga, and Harry again, trying in vain for Harry to make some sort of connection. Harry looked back at Kreacher's former Mistress, pleasantly surprised to see her eyes enlarged in shock. Returning his eyes to Kreacher, Harry could only describe the look he saw there as mischievous… and suddenly Harry understood.

Anticipation bubbling up inside of him, Harry cleared his throat and tried for his best professor-like request, "Kreacher… would you please assist me in the prompt removal of Mrs. Walburga Black's portrait from the wall?"

"Would that be a direct order, Master?"

"Quite," and with that, Harry grasped the side of the frame while Kreacher grabbed the bottom, and with the slightest of tugs, the portrait fell with uncharacteristic grace off its no longer permanent spot on the wall.

The first of a seven+ chapter story… mainly bridges the gap between Deathly Hallows and the Epilogue. Centering around the changes (both drastic and subtle) Harry makes to No. 12 Grimmauld Place. The other main characters will show up in the next chapter, this is more of a prologue.

Hope you like it, please review!