Anything related to Harry Potter and his universe belongs to JKR. Dramione. Drama/Angst/Romance. Enjoy.

Rated M for language and romantic interludes.

Previously on the Prequel, Remnants Of The Dark Lord: I hope You Dance

With her speech finished, Draco turned Hermione around and whispered, "I love you" before kissing her passionately on the lips.

Sobbing and cheering resounded throughout the room and with tears running down their faces, the witches all rushed to hug Hermione while the wizards congregated around Draco clapping him on the back.

Unlike the first time Hermione and Draco had tried to make their announcements, this party was uneventful in that no maniac came through the doors to attack or kidnap anyone. Their news was all down on the public record. Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy were engaged and Draco Malfoy was the youngest wizard ever to be invited to the Wizengamot.

Everything was in place for Hermione and Draco to move forward into an amazing future. In fact, if Hermione's kaleidoscope of memories was any gauge, the future looked wonderful for all their friends.

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,

Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,

I hope you dance….I hope you dance.

Remnants No More

Chapter 1: After The Honeymoon

Arriving home for the first time since their wedding on June 8th, Hermione and Draco greeted their friends. Hermione hugged Harry first then Leanne as she remarked, "The Maldives was simply amazing, but it's good to be home."

Draco hugged Leanne then clapped Harry on the back as he shook his mate's hand. "Thanks for meeting us. Hermione bought so much I didn't think we'd make it back home."

Pinching her new husband on his lovely arse, Hermione refuted his claim that she was the culprit who had done all the shopping.

Draco grabbed Hermione and kissed her on the neck. "Okay. I admit I was the one who picked out most of the lovely gifts for our friends."

"We made sure the house was in proper order for your return, but Mimsy and Elder had everything under control, stated Leanne. I'm not sure either of them slept while you were away."

Harry lowered his voice to inform Draco and Hermione that Mimsy had a case of the vapors over the fact she had to take in the twin daughter and son of a deceased relative without first speaking to you both. Maybe you should speak to her first thing because I don't think she will last another day under all that guilt.

Hermione and Draco looked at each other. Hermione had read everything there was to read about house elves. She knew them A-Z and everything she ever read stated emphatically that a multiple birth between house elves was so rare it had only happened three times in the seventy five years. Additionally, young house elves were always tied to the home of the old masters no matter where the mother went. Of course, there were a great many house elves who had been given clothes after the war and were able to apply for work in any household they chose. That would be the only possible explanation of why two younger house elves had found themselves without a home.

Harry didn't understand why Hermione and Draco were at such a loss for words, but he didn't make any further comments. Malfoy family business, including house elf problems was up to Hermione and Draco to sort out.

Hermione couldn't wait to speak with Mimsy. She suggested Draco take Harry and Leanne out to the garden patio while she sorted things with Mimsy and she would have Elder bring out snacks and refreshments.

Just before they were about to walk away, Harry quipped, "One more thing. Your lovely mother-in-law is still in Wiltshire and will probably be here tonight for dinner.

Draco raised his eyebrows, "Careful of your tone Potter. It sounds to me as though you are being disparaging of the witch known as my mother."

Harry laughed, "Okay. Narcissa is still in town. Be on the lookout."

"Fair enough, sighed Draco. Let's go out to the back garden patio."

As soon as Harry, Leanne and Draco left the room, Hermione called out, "Mimsy, Elder come here please."

Crack! Crack! Mimsy and Elder appeared.

Hermione asked Elder to prepare a refreshment tray including drinks for Draco, Harry and Leanne and bring it out to the back garden patio. Elder bowed and with a crack disappeared.

Mimsy stood before Hermione with her head bowed trembling. "Welcome back Mistress. Ise did a bad thing while you been gone. Ise a bad elf."

"Look at me Mimsy please, Hermione said softly. You have been my best helper from the first time you set eyes on me. There isn't anything you could do which would make me think bad of you. You are not in any trouble. Please calm down and tell me what you need to tell me."

Mimsy raised her eyes to look at Hermione and explained her situation. "My sister Mamie gets her freedom from the old masters and been getting a job in a good household. Five weeks ago the oldie witch been coming down with a fever and be dying. Then Mamie be coming down with something like the fever. When Mamie been too sick to care for herself, she begging me to get a place for her twins at ours Malfoy Estate. Mamie be passing while Mistress and Master Draco been gone and I taken Bitsy and Bigger in. Master Draco might not be wanting Bitsy and Bigger here because of their father, but they having no where else to go. Ise a very bad house elf."

A little crossly Hermione told Mimsy to stop talking bad about herself because she hadn't done anything wrong by taking care of her niece and nephew. A little more gently Hermione reminded Mimsy about their discussion regarding her vocabulary and asked her to calm down so she could speak her words properly. Then Hermione asked why Mimsy thought Master Draco would be upset?

"Bitsy and Bigger be the offspring of Mamie and Dobby. Old master and mistress be mad at Dobby for his treachery and treated Mamie, Bitsy and Bigger very mean. Mimsy knows Mr. Draco been mad at Mamie too when he was younger. I think he still being mad at Bitsy and Bigger and now at Mimsy too. Master Draco going to be so mad. Ise sorry Mistress. Ise a bad elf."

Dobby had a wife? Dobby had children? Hermione's heart suddenly started beating so rapidly she had to take several deep breaths to calm herself down. Harry was going to be over the moon.

Turning to Mimsy, Hermione assured her that Master Draco wouldn't be angry and she shouldn't worry. Hermione had then asked to meet the twins.

Mimsy bowed and disapparated away returning five minutes later with the twins. Bitsy was about as tall as Kreacher with Dobby's long nose and body coloring. Bigger was a younger version of Dobby. He was a bit taller than Bitsy, but also with Dobby's long nose and body coloring. Both the twins had ears shorter than their father's, but had inherited Dobby's huge, green eyes.

Hermione was enchanted with Bitsy and Bigger and although Mimsy classified them as younger, Hermione remembered that house elves could live to be one hundred fifty years old and put the twins age at thirty years or older.

The twins bowed to Hermione with Bigger doing the talking. "We is pleased to meet you Mistress Hermione and happy to be here. Thank you for letting us help take care of you."

Hermione smiled at the twins. "I'm glad you and Bitsy are here as well. Listen to Mimsy and Elder. They are very smart elves and will teach you well. Mimsy and I will introduce you to Master Draco a bit later. Right now Bitsy, I need you and Mimsy to unpack our things and put everything away. The gifts can be put in the large study. Draco and I will sort through them later. Bigger, you can assist Elder. It is nice to meet you both. Miss Narcissa is still in town and may be coming to stay for several days Mimsy. Please get the south bedroom next to the sunroom ready for her and explain to the twins they need not fear Narcissa. I do not think she still harbors any ill will towards their mother or them. They are under the protection of Master Draco and myself and no one will hurt them. Thank you."

Mimsy, Bitsy and Bigger disapparated away and Hermione headed out to the back garden to join Draco, Harry and Leanne. She couldn't wait to see Harry's face when she told him the news.

"Everything sorted then," asked Draco?

"Everything is fine. I've just met Bitsy and Bigger the newest additions to Malfoy Estate and they are adorable. Bitsy and Mimsy are unpacking and I've sent Bigger to work with Elder. And now for the big news. You are going to love this Harry. Their mother was Mimsy's sister Mamie, but you'll never guess the father."

Harry looked at Hermione in puzzlement. "How would I know who fathered a pair of house elves. I'm brilliant, but not that brilliant."

Draco and Leanne laughed at Harry's response and turned to Hermione in anticipation of her answer.

Hermione was showing her excitement as she explained, "Their mother and father once belonged to Lucius and Narcissa."

Now Draco was paying attention. "The mother and father lived at Malfoy Manor? I thought you said…"

Hermione cut across him. "A long time ago Draco. The father was involuntarily freed. After the war, Mimsy's sister Mamie must have been thrown out or freed and chose to leave the manor taking her twins, but her sister Mimsy stayed. Both the old witch Mamie worked for and Mamie herself have just recently succumbed to some kind of fever leaving the twins with nowhere to go. So now they are here with us. It's not that hard Harry. Put on your thinking cap."

Draco was still amazed over the fact that a rare set of house elf twins had ever lived at Malfoy Manor. He certainly didn't remember any twins, but he really never paid attention to house elves. At the time, they were there to see to his needs not be his friend.

Harry shrugged, "I have no idea Hermione. I can't even hazard a guess."

Hermione was getting exasperated so she called out, "Mimsy if you please"

Crack! Mimsy appeared. "Yes Mistress."

"I would like for you to bring Bitsy and Bigger here. I'd like to introduce them to everybody."

Glancing at Draco, Mimsy hesitated before relying, "Yes Mistress."

Crack! Mimsy disapparated away.

Draco asked, "What was that look all about?"

"You'll see. Just hold on to your boxers for a bit."

Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Mimsy was back with Bitsy and Bigger. Elder seemed to have come along to make sure everything went right.

As soon as they landed Harry jumped up. Oh Merlin! Dobby. These are Dobby's children. They look just like him.

Bitsy and Bigger glanced at Draco, but turned to Harry and in unison they bowed and said, "Harry Potter Sir."

Harry fell back into his seat.

"Who's Dobby," asked Draco and Leanne at the same time?

Harry answered before Hermione could speak. "Dobby is the house elf I rescued from your father in second year and not to bring up old memories, he was the house elf who got us out of Malfoy Manor and was killed by Bellatrix's silver knife for his effort."

"Fuck this. I'm not having this shite in our home, Draco shouted. Find the blighters some where else to live. We've come too far to go backwards."

All four house elves were trembling where they stood as they listened to Draco rant.

Hermione stood to face Draco down, but Harry beat her to it. "These are Dobby's children. What the fuck do they have to do with you? Don't try to press someone else's sins onto these two. Hermione and I have nothing but good memories of Dobby. He was and always will be a hero to me. If you don't want them here, I'll take them with me."

Hermione stepped in. "Draco love. Harry is right. You've said you don't remember him. How can you be angry over something you don't remember? Dobby is a hero who died saving us. His children do not evoke any bad memories and have absolutely nothing to do with those times. I would like for them to remain here, but if you cannot come to terms with that, I will have them go with Harry rather than see them on the streets. I'm asking you to accept them for my sake."

Draco realized he had made a mountain out of a molehill and was now feeling highly embarrassed over his outburst. "I do remember the elf rescuing you, but it is hard to think about that day without realizing you could have died. These are the things we have discussed and put out of our minds. I apologize for my outburst. If their father was a hero to you and Harry, he is a hero to me. I will be happy to have them at Malfoy Estate."

A sigh of relief passed through Hermione although she hadn't entertained the slightest thought of sending them to live with Harry. Bitsy and Bigger were going to stay where they belonged.

Harry had escorted Bitsy and Bigger out of the room while Hermione talked to Draco and now they were back.

Draco looked at both elves and smiled. "You are welcome here. From here on forward, you are a part of Malfoy Estate and are under the protection of Mistress Hermione and myself. Harry Potter and Mistress Hermione loved your father very much and there may be times when you'll have to help Harry with things. You have our permission to do so."

"Thank you Master Draco, said Mimsy. We'll train them well." She pushed Bitsy and Bigger toward Draco so they could thank him. Bigger went on to say they knew all about Harry Potter Sir because their mother talked freely about him after they left Malfoy Manor.

Smiling at all four elves, Hermione told them they could get back to what they were doing before she had called them. With four cracks the elves disapparated back to their duties.

Hermione turned to look at Harry, but he had left the room again and Leanne had followed him. Hermione was going to look for Harry, but met Leanne who whispered, "Give him a minute Hermione. He asked for a bit of privacy."

Draco heard what Leanne had said, but he went out to Harry anyway. He had acted the arse and needed to apologize directly to the face of his mate. These elves were obviously as important to Harry as their father had been.

Draco found Harry standing in a grove of trees. Harry kept his back to Draco and Draco didn't try to get close to his mate. Draco apologized from where he stood. "Harry, you are one of my best mates. It was not my intention to antagonize you or dismiss something you hold dear. For a moment, I was unaware how much their father and in turn they meant to you. I am now aware. Bitsy and Bigger will have a home here and remain part of this family as long as they live. I'm sorry Bellatrix killed Dobby as I'm sorry for a great many other things. However, we are past all that and I hope we don't have to discuss it again. You are like a brother to me and I don't want to lose your respect. I'll leave you to yourself." With that said, Draco turned and returned to the women.

Draco went to sit beside Hermione who ran her fingers through his hair and thanked him for his decision.

"Next time, give me some bloody warning of things which are important to Harry."

Hermione and Leanne smiled at each other.

After composing himself, Harry came back to the patio and went straight to the liquor to pour everyone a drink.

Once Harry was seated, he raised his glass, "To all things important," and with a huge sigh he sat down.

It was quiet for several minutes before Harry said, "So tell us all about the Maldives."

Glad there wasn't going to be any more discussion about Dobby or the twins, Hermione exclaimed, "We loved the Maldives. The entire trip was amazing and the scenery breathtaking. Draco suggested the four of us spend a week there in August or September and turn it into a birthday celebration for all of us. Draco's birthday has already gone, but our birthdays are a month apart. Harry in July, Leanne in August and me in September. We can celebrate all the birthdays in September. It would be a great time as long as we aren't caught in a monsoon."

Harry and Leanne agreed the trip sounded like a wonderful idea with Leanne quipping, "Nothing like a monsoon to make me stay home."

Harry and Draco smiled while Leanne and Hermione agreed they would start planning right away. The four friends discussed the Maldives for another half hour before Leanne and Harry stood up to leave. Draco thanked them again for checking on the house and house elves. Harry shook Draco's hand and told him how much he appreciated his decision to allow Bitsy and Bigger to stay at Malfoy Estate.

Draco walked Harry and Leanne to the main floo which they set up with a direct connection to Harry's house.

Draco grabbed Hermione and pulled her to him. "I apologize for earlier. I had no way of knowing about Dobby. Do you forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive husband, Hermione replied. You really didn't have any way of knowing. Let's do something fun like going to check on Narcissa."

Draco glanced at Hermione to see if she was trying to wind him up. When he realized she was serious he replied, "Good idea love. We don't have to stay long. We can have dinner with her and be on our way. When we get back to the estate, I'll want a little attention and a great deal of sex."

Hermione giggled and nipped Draco on the neck. With a smirk on his face, Draco took Hermione by the hand and led her to the family floo. "You naughty little minx. I'll teach you about nipping when we get back."

Hermione smiled as she followed along behind her husband. Ever since they made their announcements last year May and Draco had told all their friends about new clubs and Quidditch matches, he had begun to call her minx when they were alone. Hermione loved it. For the first time in her life, she had a nick name.

In agreement with what they wanted to do, they stepped into the floo.

Draco and Hermione stepped out of the floo at Malfoy Manor into complete silence. Draco called out, "Mother? Hermione and I are here to visit. Are you here?"

"Maybe she's upstairs, offered Hermione. Would you like me to check?"

"No, I'll check. Make yourself a drink and wait for me in the living room. I shouldn't be long. Mother has to be here somewhere."

Draco hadn't been gone five seconds when Hermione looked up to find Narcissa in the doorway of the living room. "Hello Hermione. I didn't hear the floo. Is Draco here with you?

Hermione thought to herself, of course Draco is here with me. Do you think I would go out of my way to visit you after you've done nothing but bitch for the last year? To Narcissa she replied, "Yes, Draco is upstairs searching for you. He should be back momentarily. May I get you a glass of wine?"

Narcissa laughed, "Have you forgotten you are at Malfoy Manor not Malfoy Estate, I have house elves to get me a drink." Then she had added, "but thank you for offering. So how is married life? You don't have any other news you want keep from me, do you?"

"Narcissa, we've apologized over and over. We did not intentionally keep our news from you. We're sorry you had to learn of our engagement and Draco's invitation to the Wizengamot from the newspaper. Everything was so hectic, it slipped our minds. You can be sure we will not leave you out of any other news that should be shared. You played a great part in our wedding, so the not knowing didn't come to any harm."

"You're right Hermione. It didn't matter that I wasn't notified right away because I was allowed to do my duty as mother of the groom. I hope everything was to your taste and to your liking."

"It was a lovely wedding Narcissa. The company you hired outdid themselves. My friends couldn't stop talking about the opulence and elegance. Draco and I can't thank you enough."

At that moment, Draco entered the room and went over to kiss his mother on the cheek. "Hello mother. I've been looking all over for you. How have you been? Hermione and I came to thank you for the wedding and see if you want to have dinner with us. We would love to have you."

Narcissa smiled at her son as she answered. "I have made other plans for this evening Draco. I thought you and Hermione would want to rest a bit after just getting back from your honeymoon. Perhaps we can have dinner Sunday. I'll floo over to Malfoy Estate so you won't have to trouble yourself coming here. So you both are aware, I plan on going back to France on Wednesday due to a preplanned engagement I do not want to miss."

"Well mother, please feel free to come to the Estate whenever you like. Hermione and I have another week before either of us has to go back to work, so if you'd like, you can come stay a few nights before you leave for France. There might be a bit of extra noise during the day coming from the decorators and contractors, but it won't be too bad. There were a few things Hermione wanted changed while we were on our honeymoon, but haven't been finished as of yet. Hermione and I just stopped by to check on you, so we won't hold you up any longer."

Draco kissed his mother's cheek and Hermione had followed suit. Narcissa reached out to Hermione and whispered, "I may have been unhappy about not being told your news, but one thing is sure, you make my son happy. I do thank you for that."

"Thank you Narcissa. I hope to see you on Sunday. Goodnight."

Hermione and Draco flooed home with every intention of spending some private time together, but two steps into the reception area they realized private time would have to wait.

Mimsy met them in the reception area to advise that Mr. Theo and Miss Jocelyn were waiting in the sunroom.

Draco was mumbling about overstepping gits as they walked to the sunroom to greet their guests. "Still haven't given up showing up unannounced there Theo? How are you mate? How are you Jocelyn?"

"Hello," said Hermione who loved Theo to death, but still hadn't completely warmed up to Jocelyn even after a year. It wasn't up to her, but Hermione believed Jocelyn was not the witch Theo should end up with.

Jocelyn blushed as she greeted Hermione and Draco.

"Can we get either of you something to eat or drink?"

"I'll have a brandy and Jocelyn has become partial to white wine. We've just stopped by to welcome you home and remind you our six month review of Perfected Cures with Neville is scheduled for Thursday, 6/26, this week coming, said Theo. I don't think there will be any issues with the review because Neville is doing a bang up job. I was really impressed with the initial sixth month review last December and am very much looking forward to Thursday. Who would have ever thought Luna would turn out to be a master in Herbology and an expert in Research. That witch certainly did justice to her Ravenclaw roots. How's the new Assistant working out Draco? I know what it must have cost you to loan Edwin over to Perfected Cures, but the wizard is a miracle worker. He has things done before a person knows what is needed. I understand when he goes back to Malfoy Partners, he will be taking a top spot. With you concentrating on the Wizengamot, the partnership will need him at the forefront."

Hermione handed them their drinks, left the bottles on the table and after sitting down beside Draco called out to Elder.

With a soft crack Elder appeared before Hermione.

"Elder, would you please put together a quick supper of beef and gravy, mash, carrots and dessert. Thank you." Elder bowed to Hermione and disappeared back to the kitchen.

Hermione pulled out her wand and accio'd the brochures from The Maldives so she could show them to Jocelyn while they waited for supper. The brochures came flying into Hermione's hand and she handed them to Jocelyn for her review.

Draco was nodding his head in agreement with everything Theo was saying about their investment. "We said it would be a money spinner and it is on the way towards being just that, remarked Draco. I have to admit I wasn't all that comfortable with Neville as the manufacturer, but as you said, he is amazing. Funny how we don't really know what someone is capable of until he is given a chance. He and his staff and Edwin should write a book on starting up a company and I am looking forward to Thursday as well. I have to admit, I have been getting interim reports from Edwin and everything is right up to snuff. This is supposed to be a surprise for the investors on Thursday, so I'll ask you to keep this quiet until Neville makes the announcement. There are two new products in the works and they are looking very promising."

"You have my word, Theo replied. I won't mention this until the appropriate time."

Hermione was going over the brochures with Jocelyn, but she heard everything Draco had said and so had Jocelyn. Hermione was uncomfortable doing it, but she had already experienced Jocelyn's loose use of discretion. "Since it is proprietary information until Thursday, I suggest we ask Jocelyn to keep the information to herself as well. Not that she would speak out of turn, but if we want to be sure the information remains under wraps, everyone should be held to the same guidelines."

Both Draco and Theo glanced at Hermione. "Hermione's right, agreed Theo. We should all agree not to mention the information to anyone else."

"Nodding in Theo's direction, Hermione said, "Thanks Theo. I'm just looking out for the investment group."

Crack! Elder had sent Bigger to call everyone to supper. With his message delivered, Bigger disappeared back to his duties.

Draco told Theo and Jocelyn that supper would be in the small dining room and they could go on through. He and Hermione were right behind them. Bitsy and Mimsy had set the food out so everyone could help themselves.

Jocelyn complimented the food and the lovely room décor.

Hermione was very pleased with the compliment on the room décor because she was very pleased with the decorators. She went on to explain she hired a company named Formalities which had been formed by Mandy Broklehurst, Dean Thomas and Lisa Turpin who were three very talented people. Formalities had worked very closely with her to get this exact shade. They went through dozens of color palettes before finding this color and then had used Dean's graphic artist skills to customize the walls. It is called apricot twist and it is perfect for this southerly situated sunroom. The light in midmorning through early afternoon is incredible.

Theo commented on the color and the artwork as well telling Hermione he remembered Mandy telling him she was in the interior design business. Theo asked Hermione to give Mandy his regards.

"I'll be seeing Mandy, Dean and Lisa on Monday. I'll give them all your regards."

Draco who was quietly finishing his supper looked up when Theo mentioned Mandy. There was something in Theo's voice that had alerted Draco. Theo still thought about Mandy and Draco recognized, for a lack of a better word, the emotion of missing a person you cared about. Theo sounded just like he had when he first realized he loved Hermione. Theo had still been under the curse when he started with Mandy, but had become too embarrassed about his situation to continue with her. They had just kind of faded away from each other.

After the table was cleared, the friends moved back to the sunroom to sit and chat. Draco who normally didn't step into another wizard's business decided to step into this.

Turning to Theo, Draco made a request. "I'm going to be up to my chin in it when I get back to the Wizengamot and with Edwin working at Perfected Cures, I will need your assistance with some private matters sometime between now and Monday if you can manage. I know you usually have plans for the weekend so we can meet on Monday if that is better for you."

"I'll make myself available for Monday. Jocelyn has been after me to visit her lovely town in France and we had tentative plans for tomorrow."

Hermione was on the same page as Draco. Very nonchalantly without even looking up from her brochure, Hermione reminded Draco that Narcissa planned to have him tied up all day Monday and it would be better to get his work out of the way this weekend. Finally looking up from the brochure, Hermione smiled at Theo and asked if the trip could be postponed for a bit. Then she had smiled at Jocelyn waiting for an answer.

"If it's that important, I'll make myself available for tomorrow."

Turning to Jocelyn he asked, "You don't mind, do you love? We can visit France and stop off to surprise your parents next weekend."

Hermione looked back down at the brochure and listened as Jocelyn told Theo, "My parents will be disappointed, but we can do it next week. No worries."

Hermione didn't know why she didn't care for this witch, but she was definitely having a hard time trying to like her and because of her dislike she was mentally screaming at Theo to ask the question.

Her mental screaming paid off as Theo asked, "Why would your parents be disappointed if it was to be a surprise? They wouldn't even know we were coming."

Hermione kept her eyes on the brochure as Jocelyn realized she had spoken out of school and tried to placate Theo's curiosity. "Well I was talking to my mum and mentioned I might be bringing a friend home."

Theo didn't seem to realize he was being manipulated so Hermione opened her mouth to encourage more conversation on the topic, but Draco got there first by apologizing. "I'm sorry Theo. I didn't know you were meeting the parents. That's an important step. I'll just have to work this out by myself."

Theo looked at Draco. "What are you on about? We're not meeting the parents. Jocelyn just …."

Jocelyn's previous words must have sunk in because Theo stopped in mid sentence to tell Draco, "I've promised you and I'll see you tomorrow. What time is good? Jocelyn can take me to meet her parents next weekend."

"Right love?"

Jocelyn smiled. "Of course Theo."

Draco told Theo that 11:00 would be great and Theo nodded in acknowledgement.

Draco smiled as he asked if anyone wanted a refill. Hermione held out her glass for another white wine while Theo and Jocelyn asked for another drink as well.

They chatted for another hour before Theo helped Jocelyn to her feet so they could leave. Draco shook Theo's hand and nodded at Jocelyn. Hermione hugged them both before they headed to the apparition area to apparate away.

Neither Draco nor Hermione acknowledged the fact they were nosing into Theo's business, but Hermione commented, "Draco my love, I know the decorators are coming tomorrow, but I think I'll need to speak with Mandy and Lisa personally. I'm a little bothered that things weren't finished before we got back. I'll send an owl tonight so they will be aware of my request before morning. Maybe I should plan on serving lunch."

"Lunch would be great, answered Draco. Perhaps Theo and I will join you."

Leanne understood when Harry left her upstairs in the bedroom to go sit in the library. She didn't know exactly what was bothering him, but she knew it had to do with the elf Dobby so she had kissed him and left him to brood in private. Leanne knew Harry very well and when he was ready to discuss it, he would come to her and if he didn't care to discuss it, he'd still come to her. She was sure of it. She had fallen in love with Harry and learned of his moods through trial and error. He'd come a long way, especially in the last year, but from time to time he still fell into a funk. It was during those times she left him to himself and this was one of those times. Leanne was pretty sure she would wake up in the morning wrapped in his arms. If this was the worst she could expect for loving the Chosen One, she could handle it.

Harry's mind was going a mile a minute. Dobby had children. Harry knew there were house elves of all ages, but never had he thought of them making love, having sex or fornicating. Although might not be the case at all. Perhaps they had babies in a different manner unknown to wizards. It wasn't a topic he would discuss if it was about humans, but he was curious about house elves and made a mental note to ask Hermione.

Every last memory he ever had of Dobby came rushing back when he had looked at Bitsy and Bigger. Dobby whom he had rescued from Lucius Malfoy, Dobby who had tried to save him by almost killing him, Dobby who fought Kreacher for him, Dobby who had saved them from the cellar and Dobby who had died for them. His Dobby.

Hermione and Draco may not like it very much, but he wanted one or both of the house elves to live with him. Harry felt as though he should be looking after them and that was what he planned to do. It was the least he could do for their father. After all, it was he who had gotten Dobby killed.

Draco had given the twins permission to help him of he needed them and it was Harry's intent to see if it was true. Softly he called out, "Bitsy, Bigger. If you please."

Crack! Crack! Harry Potter sir. "What can we do for you?"

Harry smiled at the twins. "I just wanted to…..I need the furniture in this room switched around. Would you do that for me?"

"Certainly Harry Potter, sir. Bitsy and Bigger will do this quick."

With a snap of their fingers, the furniture was moved to the places Harry had designated. "All done Harry Potter, sir.

Harry thanked them and told them they could go. Bitsy hugged Harry before she left and for the second time since Sirius died, Harry felt the sting of tears in his eyes..