The Twisted Wand
Chapter 3: Sleepless nights
Disclaimer: I own neither the characters nor world, just the few pieces I added.
0-O-0
Jean Granger had taken her daughter to pick up takeout for dinner leaving Dan and Harry at the Martin's house. Hermione's father still wasn't sure exactly what to make of Harry. He didn't look like much in baggy and worn clothes, his wild hair didn't help his image, but he had saved his daughter. The best he could do was reserve judgment for now. Still it was an awkward twenty minutes while the girls were gone, it seemed neither he nor Harry were much good at small talk.
When Hermione and Jean returned Harry enjoy the largest meal he had had since Hogwarts. Hermione knew that he hadn't been eating regularly and insisted he take more than anyone else; much to her parent's amusement and Harry's embarrassment.
They had just finished eating when the doorbell rang. Harry and Hermione traded glances before they drew their wands. She motioned for her father to open the door while she crouched behind the couch. Harry stood in the kitchen peeking around the doorframe.
Dan was tempted to comment on their actions but decided against it. After all his daughter had been attack just hours ago; and it was better not to take chances. He gripped the doorknob and opened it. A young woman with bubblegum pink hair stood on the doorstep. "Wotcher, Harry and Hermione around?"
Hermione sighed as she stood up behind the couch. "It's ok dad, that's Tonks."
"Right, the magic police lady. Come on in. Maybe you can explain to me why we can't go back to our own home." Dan said, his annoyance showing through.
"Well you could but you'd have to deal with a few wizards that are still hanging around. I know Dumbledore was sitting on your porch last time I saw him." Tonks said.
Jean offered to make tea while they talked. As the water boiled she suggested Tonks start from the beginning.
"Alright. I'll bet Hermione told you about the attack on her. Well we've got no evidence on who it was. The ministry tried to expel Harry. Don't know if either of you saw but Fudge himself showed up shouting that no one was to touch your wand. Should have seen his face when you weren't even there." Tonks said, not even trying to hide her amusement.
"So I'm not expelled?" Harry asked.
"Nope. Fudge spent several minutes telling Dumbledore to let you know you weren't in any trouble." Tonks explained.
Harry let out a relieved sigh. He hadn't been that worried about it but memories of last summer's trial had still worked their way into his thoughts. Just because everyone knew Riddle was back didn't give him much of a reason to think he'd be treated any differently then he had been last time. Jean stepped out for a moment and returned with five cups of tea for them.
"So if that's all settled why can't we go home?" Dan asked.
"Well it's because Dumbledore is still looking for Harry." Tonks said.
"Why is the Headmaster looking for Harry?" Jean asked as Dan mirrored her confused look.
"Not sure myself. Harrys godfather was a cousin of mine and I helped him set up some of his will. Sirius asked me to make sure he got to the will reading. As near as I can tell Dumbledore doesn't want Harry there for some reason. Not that he has any legal reason to keep Harry away." Tonks said as she sipped her tea.
"So we can't go back until after the will reading." Dan said.
"Well you could. But I wouldn't recommend Harry going with you if you did. And you might not want to either because there are a couple of wizards prowling around to keep an eye out for him." Tonks said.
"Well staying here a few days isn't a problem. But is there anything we can legally do to get them to leave us alone?" Dan asked.
"I'm afraid there isn't much." Tonks said. "As long as they aren't on your property there are no laws preventing them from hanging around."
"I wish we could go back long enough to pack something's." Jean said.
"Afraid not, Moody is keeping a watch on your house. He's got a magic eye that can see through any magic concealment, and just about anything else. If you did go back they'd just follow you back here. What you need is a house elf; wouldn't trust Kreacher though." Tonks said thoughtfully
Harry growled at the mention of the house elf that had lied to him about where Sirius was. If not for him then Sirius might still be alive. But Kreacher wasn't the only house elf they knew. "Dobby."
"Who is Dobby?" Dan asked.
"I is being Dobby sir." Everyone in the room jumped. None of them had noticed Dobby appearing in the corner. "Harry Potter sir is calling Dobby?"
Hermione gasped, Dobby had a swollen black eye and several cuts. "What happened to you?"
"I is ok miss, I just be fighting nasty elf Kreacher. I is going and taking care of hippogriff at Harry Potters godfathers house because no one else is being able to enter. Kreacher is not liking me being there. Says nasty bird should die for making messes." Dobby explained.
Harry felt a wave of guilt. He hadn't even thought about Buckbeak since Sirius's death. "Thank you for taking care of him Dobby. But why can't anyone else get in?"
"I'll explain that." Tons said. "Dumbledore was worried someone else might now own the place. I'm pretty sure Sirius left it to you Harry but Dumbledore didn't want to chance it and evacuated the house then sealed it with some of his own wards."
"And he just left Buckbeak there?" Hermione said outrage clear on her face.
"It was all done in a hurry. I'm not sure anyone even had a chance before the wards sealed the house. I know several were activated upon Sirius's death. Sorry Harry." Tonks said she knew it couldn't be easy for him to hear about the repercussions from Sirius's death so much. She set a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"It's fine." Harry brushed her off.
"Dobby; could you go to my house without being seen and get some stuff for me and my parents and pick up what Harry left?" Hermione asked.
Dobby began to bounce with excitement. "Oh yes Dobby can be doing that!"
Before they could say anything else he disappeared. Hermione's parents, who had sat quietly and watched the odd little creature, took the break to voice their questions. "So that was one of those house elf things you've been talking about?"
"Yes dad that was Dobby; the free elf. I've been trying to." She was interrupted by Dobby's return.
"I is making sure no one is seeing me. I is also removing the tracking charms on certain items before I be bringing them." Dobby said, quiet proud of himself.
"Tracking charms? Do you know who put them on? And what were they attached to?" Tonks said.
"I is sorry but I could not be saying who put them on. There was one on Harry Potter's owl cage. Two on Miss Granger's potions and another on the trunk." Dobby said as he started to wring his ears. "I is being sorry that I is not being able to tell you more."
Harry knelt down and rested a hand on Dobby's shoulder. "Don't worry about it, you did great."
"Thank you Harry Potter sir, you truly is great wizard. Call Dobby if you be needing anything else." Dobby said before disappearing again.
Jean looked at the pile of luggage Dobby had brought. There was an overnight bag for both her and Dan and Hermione's truck and another bag she assumed held Harry's things. When she began pulling things out of her bag to see what he had packed she discovered that he must have used magic on the bag because she was pulling out more than could possibly fit inside it.
Dan though was more concerned about the tracking charms. "Excuse me, Tonks, you're a magical police officer right?"
"Pretty much." Tonks said with a non-committal shrug.
"Tracking charms can't be legal." Dan said.
"They are, but only if you get permission to put them on from the items owner. Unfortunately they're low power so it's almost impossible to identify who cast them." Tonks said it was one of the hardest parts of her job, trying to track down who cast low powered spells. They were just too difficult to read properly!
"So some unknown person has been following my family's movements?" Dan said as anger crept into his voice.
"Could be." Tonks said looking decidedly uncomfortable.
"What can we do about it?" Dan asked.
"Very little. Unless you can prove who put the tracking charms on their things." Tonks admitted.
Dan didn't take the news very well and disappeared into the kitchen. Tonks turned back to Harry and Hermione. "As for you two. I told you that I helped Sirius set up a few things in his will. Well he also asked me to make sure both of you get to the reading."
"Thank you Tonks." Hermione said.
"No problem. Now I'm sure Dumbledore is going to have a few people keeping an eye open at the ministry for you so we'll be leaving at six." Tonks said. She had already cleared it with Madam Bones.
"Excuse me. But would it be possible for Dan and I to accompany our daughter." Jean asked.
Tonks paused. "As far as I know there aren't any rules against it and I should be able to sneak four in as easily as two. Plus Sirius would love that, sneaking two muggles into the will reading for the house of Black."
"Thank you." Jean said.
"No problem. I'll be around at five thirty Friday. Or sooner if anything comes up. Don't worry about robes or anything, muggle clothes will be fine. Heck Sirius would probably have a good laugh at that." Tonks said. She exchanged quick goodbyes with Harry and Hermione before she left.
0-O-0
Later that night Dan lay awake in one of the spare bedrooms, thankfully the Martins had several for when their children or grandchildren visited. His mind was conflicted about Harry and the magic world in general. On one hand Harry didn't look like much. In fact he was only a few steps above a homeless person in appearance. His clothes were far too large and worn, his hair was messy, he was too thin and there were deep bags under his eyes. If Dan saw him on the street his first thought might be that he was mixed up with drugs.
He paused wondering if the magical world had drugs like the normal world. He'd have to check with Hermione.
On the other hand Harry had saved his daughter just hours ago and while shy he seemed like a perfectly reasonable fellow. Then there was the entire magical world. He had never been completely comfortable with it and to find out someone had put some kind of magic on Hermione's things was worrying. It was beyond worrying. It was frightening.
Well there was nothing he could do at the moment about the magical world but he could at least try and set his mind at ease about Harry. He didn't look like he slept much so he might still be up.
As quietly as he could Dan slipped out of bed and went to the room Harry was staying in, the door was open, the bed empty. A moment of panic and he went to Hermione's door. Prepared to throw Harry out the window if he found him in the same room as his daughter, even if they were both awake, fully dressed and on opposite sides of the room.
But no, Hermione was the only one in her room. Dan began searching the house for Harry. He found him sitting in the kitchen. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts and didn't notice when Dan entered, a cold cup of tea sitting before him. For a moment Dan considered having some fun and frightening him but decided against it. Instead he pulled out a chair and sat down. "So Harry. It looks like we owe you for today."
"No sir, Hermione has been helping me for years." Harry said.
"Well be that as it may a little help with homework doesn't compare to fighting an attacker. Hermione mentioned that she wanted you to stay with us until your godfathers will is read Friday. We'd be happy to have you." Dan was still curious about him but there was an overwhelming need to offer him assistance.
"Thank you sir; but before you offer that you should know that it might be dangerous." Harry said he couldn't live with himself if something happened to Hermione's parents because of him.
"How so?" Dan asked, he had sized Harry up and figured he could easily take him in a scrap.
"Hermione has mentioned why I am famous in the magic world right?" Harry asked.
"Yes, some terrorist attacked your family. He tried to curse you but got killed or something. Hermione mentioned he had come back." The whole story sounded a bit too fantastic even with magic.
"Yes. He is back and well, he's holding a grudge against me. If I am here he might send someone to try and deal with me." Harry said. He had been agonizing most of the night on how to speak with them about it. Straight forward seemed to be his only option.
"He'd have to know you are here first though. I talked to Hermione earlier you know; she said the person who attacked her today didn't know you were there." Dan paused to think gather his thoughts. "It might be dangerous to have you around but it seems to be just as dangerous without you. And I'd rather have someone else around to help if something does happen."
"Thank you sir. I suppose I had better go to bed and try and sleep. Good night." Harry said.
"Good night Harry." Dan said. Had Harry paid more attention in charms he might have noticed the subtle signs of an unknown compulsion charm working on Hermione's father.
0-O-0
Sleep refused to come to Hermione that night. She had faked it for a few minutes when she heard her father checking on her but quickly rolled over in frustration. Finally around two in the morning she gave up on it altogether and did what she always did; homework. She pulled out her charms essay and began another round of revisions. After a few minutes though she was still restless, the information failed to hold her attention and the theories behind the charms slipped from her mind. Hermione decided to check on Harry and her parents, yes just to make sure they had all settled in alright. She stood and walked to Harry's room first.
When she saw him she froze. The covers were twisted around him and he was whimpering, twitching in the clutch of a nightmare. She knelt next to him. "Harry, Harry wake up." She whispered.
He didn't stop and she reached for him, he was clammy; his scar stood out against his pale face, red and inflamed. "Harry wake up its just a nightmare you're fine."
Harry jerked and his eyes flew open, he took a ragged breath and was halfway to his wand when he recognized Hermione. "What's going on?"
"You were having a nightmare." Hermione said.
He looked down, embarrassed. "Did I wake your parents too?"
"You didn't wake me I just couldn't sleep." Hermione assured him.
"That's good. At least I wasn't screaming this time. I normally have to silence my curtains at school." Harry said, if he had been fully awake he never would have admitted to it. Not even Madam Pomfrey knew.
"How long have you been having them?" Hermione asked, resting her hand on his arm.
"Just over a year now, since the third task. They've been getting worse, and after Sirius, well." Harry shrugged; they had gotten so much worse recently.
"It's ok, what are they about?" Hermione gently asked.
"They're different. After that night it's always about him, or one of you falling through the veil." Harry said. The image that night had been of Hermione standing on the edge of the veil while Bellatrix had thrown spells at her.
"Lay on your stomach." Hermione instructed.
"What?" Harry asked.
"Just do it." Hermione said with a hint of exasperation.
Shrugging Harry did as he was told. Hermione sat on the edge of the bed and began rubbing his back; just as her mother had done for her years ago when she couldn't sleep and hummed a lullaby. His eyes closed and he was asleep again in moments but Hermione sat there and continued rubbing his back for almost half an hour lost in thought.
0-O-0
Percy Weasley was quiet pleased, quiet pleased indeed as he strolled into the Ministers office first thing in the morning. He hadn't had a chance to inform Minister Fudge about the contract the night before, he'd run out on some urgent business. Still Percy was sure this would please him and be another feather in his cap. "Good morning Minister Fudge."
"Oh yes, I suppose, what has you so chipper?" Fudge asked a bit put out. He hadn't slept much the night before, if the papers got ahold of the news that his administration had almost snapped Potters wand, well his position was hanging by a thread as it was. Anymore trouble and he'd be out even if there wasn't someone waiting to take his place.
"I had another application for our contract regarding Potter last night, our biggest one yet. A Miss Narcly Nitch, she applied for compensation for over twenty stories to be published by her sister, a Miss Becca Treka. I took the liberty of reading some of the information she had, it's wonderful. Potters reputation will be ruined by September." Percy said as he set the completed contracts on Fudge's desk.
The Minister grabbed one with shaking hands, his face ashen. "What are these?"
"The contract you had drawn up last year, any reporter who publishes a negative article about Dumbledore or Potter will receive a small 'thank you' from the ministry in the form of fifty galleons." Percy said, unsure why the Minister was asking. They'd used it at least a dozen times over the last year.
"Idiot! Potter was telling the truth! If I'm seen slandering him now it's over for me! Cancel the contracts!" Fudge shouted. This could be a disaster.
"But, but I can't. Once the contracts signed the story must be printed, it has to be." Percy said taken aback.
Fudge held his head in his hands. This was the end for him. Unless no one knew he was involved. "You did this you can fix it. Get a contract of silence and make her sign it! This can not be traced back to me! Do you understand?"
0-O-0
Harry stumbled into the kitchen. Hermione was sitting at the table eating a slice of toast, she watched with no little amusement as he seemed to still be half asleep, it was, cute. Despite his worn down appearance he seemed, peaceful. "Good morning Harry."
"Morning." Harry mumbled.
"How did you sleep?" Hermione asked with concern, he still looked bad. The bags under his eyes were as pronounced as ever but at least his scar seemed to be back to normal.
"Once I got back to sleep it was good. No nightmares." He assured opening the refrigerator and pulling out two eggs. "Where are your parents?"
"They made arrangements yesterday to take time off for the rest of the week. They're having a lie in right now." Hermione said.
As Harry was sitting down to eat an owl landed at the window. Hermione got up and took her copy of the Daily Prophet. "Bloody hell."
"Hermione!" Harry tried not to laugh and failed miserably. To hear Hermione curse, Ron would never believe him.
"Read this." Hermione passed him the paper. He groaned, his laughter forgotten, this couldn't be good.
Harry Potter was right
But were we?
By Becca Treka
Harry Potter the boy who lived was right this past year about the return of He Who Must Not Be Named, but were we also right about how dangerous and delusional he is? Unfortunately it appears we were. Yesterday morning young Harry Potter used a potion, rumored to be the highly addictive Dreamless Sleep potion, to drug his aunt and cousin before taking an axe to part of their home and disappearing; reportedly with several valuable possessions belonging to his aunt and uncle. Sometime later Albus Dumbledore himself arrived to investigate and after repairing the damage was forced to pay compensation to Harry's relatives in the form of an undisclosed sum to allow their nephew to return to their home once he is located.
Now a dangerous and delusional youth who is unafraid to attack his family is on the loose. Where is he? Why did he leave and what did he take? He has already shown a disregard for his own and others wellbeing, is this just the next step on his darkened path?
Harry dropped the paper and put his head in his hands, he couldn't read anymore. "I really thought after they saw Voldemort things would get better."
Hermione rested a hand on his shoulder. "Well this is the first time all summer I've seen a negative article about you. For weeks now they've been calling you the chosen one."
"Not sure that's much better." Harry grumbled.
"So what are you planning to do today?" Hermione said to try and distract him.
"Honestly I just want to go back to bed and sleep." Harry replied.
"Alright, but if you're going to sleep all day you're at least going to get some fresh air as well. There's a hammock outside. Hold on I'll be right back." Hermione said dashing up the stairs. She came back down a minute later with a book. "Alright let's go."
She led Harry into the backyard and sat down under a tree. Harry looked skeptically at the hammock set up nearby. It didn't look particularly comfortable. Still he decided to try it. At worst he wouldn't get any sleep and that was fairly normal now.
He was wrong, it was very comfortable. The hammock rocked back and forth, lying there with a breeze ruffling his hair and the sun warming his legs he was asleep in minutes.
0-O-0
Dumbledore was far from pleased. There had been no sign of Harry since yesterday and now the Granger family seemed to have vanished as well. Didn't Harry realize how reckless he was being? His thoughts were interrupted when a portrait announced that Severus had arrived. His mood caused him to reply more sharply then he normally would have. "What do you have to report?"
"A few interesting facts and this week's list of potions requested by the Dark Lord." Snape said as he held out a long list of hastily copied potions.
Dumbledore took the list and scanned it for anything noteworthy; and frowned. "I am unfamiliar with one of these potions."
"Which one would that be?" Snape already knew which it would be.
"Flamingo fire." Dumbledore said.
Snape sneered. "Yes, a horrible name for an ingenious potion. When the substance is set ablaze it can not be extinguished by magical means. It is will spread and act as normal fire, though the flames with be a sickening pink."
"An alternative to fiend fire?" Dumbledore asked this could be very dangerous.
"I believe so. While not as destructive its resilience to normal means of being extinguished will cause confusion and it can be used easily by anyone. No training required." Snape said.
"I see. Unfortunately we may need to let it be used a time or two before I can make known how to fight it." Dumbledore frowned at the thought, and then waved it away. "You said you had more to report?"
"Yes, the dementors will soon join him but they have refused to be used in any way where they may encounter Potter." Snape said.
Dumbledore sat up at that news. "Do you know why?"
"Well as you know a dementor can not be killed, however they can die by starvation. They can also be hurt, and because they can not heal, if they are wounded seriously enough they will no longer be able to hunt. It seems they do not think Potter is worth the risk. They believe if they encounter him in smaller numbers he may be able to injure them so that they can no longer hunt. You know they have always been cowardly creatures." Snape said.
"Yes, but this is disturbing news." Dumbledore said, to have creatures as appalling as dementors fear you. Of course they feared him as the leader of the Light but Harry was far from that position. A sign, a warning maybe?
Snape broke him from his thoughts. "Prophase, but not as disturbing as this. The Dark Lord has issued a new order in regards to Potter. If any death eater sees him they are not to attack. In fact he went so far as to say that anyone who dares harm him will be killed."
The color drained from Dumbledore's face. This was not good. Could Voldemort have somehow learned what the prophecy said? One interpretation could be that so long as both Harry and Voldemort lived no one could kill them save each other. Or, more disturbing could he have taken control of Harry? Or was planning to? Were there consequences to the possession at the ministry? He needed to find Harry now more than ever. "Do you have any news about the attack on Miss Granger?"
"Yes, it was not ordered by the Dark Lord. Instead it was committed by Draco when he learned Black had named her as part of his will." Snape said.
"Was he hurt?" Dumbledore inquired. It would be more difficult to return him to the light if Harry had done permanent damage.
"Not badly. Though his pride is wounded." Snape said. Secretly he though his godson got what he deserved for such a foolish action.
"Keep an eye on him. He is becoming reckless." At least this meant Voldemort didn't know Harry was most likely with the Grangers. "One last thing. Have you by chance read todays paper?"
"No, I have not had the chance. I take it there was something, interesting, in it?" Snape asked.
"In a manner of speaking; somehow the Prophet is aware of what happened at Harrys relatives yesterday. I am sure neither I nor Moody spoke to them so their knowledge is troubling." Dumbledore said.
"Perhaps Potter told them in an attempt to gain sympathy and increase his popularity." Snape drawled.
"I doubt it, and if he did it backfired badly." Dumbledore said.
"Maybe it will shrink his swollen head." Snape smirked at the thought of Potter being taken down another peg.
Dumbledore sighed. "I am concerned that we may have a leak within the Order despite our safeguards. Please keep your ears open."
"Of course." Snape said before he left.
0-O-0
Jean stepped outside looking for her daughter and found her reading under a tree. She gave a curious look at Harry. "Being lazy today?"
"He's had a couple of hard weeks. When he said all he wanted to do today was sleep I told him he at least needed to get some fresh air." Hermione said as she glanced up from her book and checked him again.
"Well make sure he eats some lunch." Jean said as she walked back inside. Something was nagging at her yet she couldn't put her finger on what it was.
"I will." Hermione said. She returned to her book until Harry began making distressed noises. She moved to him, his face was marred by a deep frown, she ran a hand along the side of his head. "Harry, wake up."
Nothing; Hermione shook his shoulder. "Common Harry, it's just a nightmare."
Harry stirred and watched her through half lidded eyes. "Hermione?"
"Yes." She said.
"You're ok?" He asked.
"Just fine, it was only a nightmare." Hermione assured him still stroking the side of his head.
"No death eaters?" He asked.
"None."
"Good." Harry closed his eyes and went back to sleep.
0-O-0
Hermione woke him later for lunch before they returned outside. This time Harry didn't immediately drop off to sleep. Instead he lay there with a slight frown. Hermione closed her book and walked to the hammock. "Something wrong?"
"Just thinking." Harry said.
"About your nightmare?" Hermione asked.
"That obvious?" Harry almost chuckled.
"Not really but you only frown like that if it's something recent, after a while you'd just get this far away look on your face. Want to talk about it?" Hermione asked.
"Not really." Harry said as he glanced away. He didn't want to trouble anyone else with his problems.
"Harry, we're friends. You can always talk to me." Hermione said.
"I know Hermione; I just don't want to make other people miserable too." Harry said.
"Weren't you listening? We're friends. Not just when it's convenient or helpful. But all the time. High points and low points." She rested her hand on his shoulder. "One of the reasons we have friends is to help us with the low points. Like when an eleven year old took on a troll for me. Please Harry I want to help."
"You already have. Because of me you and your family can't go home." Harry said.
"That's not your fault. If you hadn't shown up yesterday." Hermione suppressed a shiver. "Well I'm really glad you were there."
"How is your cut doing? The one from the ministry." Harry asked.
"Fine. I'm almost finished with my potions and there's only a thin scar now. That wasn't your fault either." Hermione said, trying to cut of his line of thought.
"It was, at least partially. There were a dozen times where I could have done something different and Sirius might have lived." Harry said Hermione could hear the unshed tears in his voice.
"It was his choice to go after you. If he hadn't you might be dead." Hermione said.
"It would have been better if he hadn't come." Harry said miserably.
"How can you say that!" Hermione shouted.
"He only delayed the inevitable." Harry shouted back.
"What?" Hermione asked. She was not thrilled with where their conversation was going, it frightened her.
"The prophecy Riddle wanted. I know what it said." Harry admitted.
"But it was destroyed." Hermione said.
"Dumbledore knew. He was there when it was made. It was about a child who could defeat Riddle. It was made the year before I was born; it said the child would be born as the seventh month dies." Harry said as he remembered the first line of the prophecy.
"That could be thousands of children." Hermione said.
"To parents who defied Riddle three times." Harry said.
"Alright, that narrows it down." Hermione admitted.
"Two, there were two children who it could have been. Me, and Neville." Harry said.
"Neville? Our Neville?" Hermione said, he was certainly nice and over the last year he had improved by leaps and bounds but to picture him facing Voldemort as Harry had, she couldn't see it.
"Yeah. But Riddle went after me first. The prophecy said he would mark me as an equal." Harry pointed at his scare. "And that it would come down to me or him. One of us has to kill the other." Harry sat quietly waiting for Hermione to say something. Not even looking at her, afraid of what he might see. Until he heard a light sob and spun around. "What's wrong?"
"I'm fine." Hermione said.
"No, you don't get to do that. I answered your question. Besides saying your fine when you obviously aren't is my thing." Harry said.
"It, it's one of my nightmares alright. Ever since the third task I've had a nightmare where you and Voldemort are in a fight to the death. I kept telling myself that no one could really expect you to be the one to finish him off; that it would be Dumbledore or the aurors."
Harry crouched down next to her. "The nightmare I had earlier was that death eaters attack. They captured us and took us to the department of mystery and were about to toss you through the veil. That's how a lot of them go, sometimes its Ron or Ginny, Luna, Neville, Sirius, Cedrick, my parents. Basically everyone I've ever known."
"I'm surprised you get any sleep." Hermione admitted, not that he looked like he got much.
"I'm used to it. Do you think he regretted it?" Harry asked as she set down next to her, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"Who?" Hermione asked.
"Sirius. Do you think he would have regretted coming for me? If he knew what would happen?" Harry asked.
"Never, his only goal in life was to protect you." Hermione said.
"Why does everyone have to die for me? Because of me." Harry said.
Hermione didn't know what to say. She reached over and put an arm around Harry. He sat there stiffly. She tried to think of something to take Harrys mind off of everything. "We should call Dobby and see how he is doing." The excitable little elf always seemed to brighten the mood.
"Alright. Dobby!" Harry called.
Dobby appeared before them. "The great Harry Potter is calling me?"
He didn't look much better than the previous day. The swelling had gone down but it still looked painful. Hermione smiled at him. "We did, we wanted to see how you were doing."
"Oh the great Harry Potter and his Grangy is concerned about Dobby! Dobby is doing well. I is healing, if I was having my full magic I would already be better but I will be fine soon." Dobby assured them.
"Your full magic?" Hermione said.
"Dobby is ashamed to say Dobby's magic is being weaker because he is not bonded." Dobby looked down and kicked at the ground.
"But aren't you bonded to Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.
"No, I is working for Hogwarts but I is not bonded. I is like being free but no one will try to bond with free elf that is wanting to remain free." Dobby said.
"When you say try, what do you mean?" Hermione asked, the way he had said it seemed, off.
"The normal house elf bond is like the wizards unbreakable oath. Dobby is thinking if you change the words you is changing the bond but no one is willing to try." Dobby said.
"I'll try Dobby, if you want." Harry offered.
"Harry you can't be serous!" Hermione said she was all for helping Dobby and other house elves but to just agree to an untested bond.
"I am. I'll try the bond you thought up Dobby, as long as you're sure it's safe." Harry said.
"Dobby is being sure!" Dobby was practically jumping up and down on the spot.
"Hang on both of you! Dobby, explain how this bond works." Hermione said trying to gain control of the conversation before either of them rushed into something.
"The house elf bond is a magical contract where the elf agrees to serve their master and in return their magic is becoming stronger." Dobby said.
"Alright so what's the new bond?" Hermione asked.
"It is the same but instead of being a slave Dobby would be paid and be able to leave when he wanted." Dobby said proudly.
"So you wouldn't be a slave?" Hermione asked just to make sure.
"No. Miss Grangy." Dobby said.
"Are you sure you want to do this Harry?" Hermione asked.
"If I can prove the bond works then sure. It'll help Dobby and I won't be any worse off." Harry said with a shrug.
"Alright. If you're both sure." Hermione said. If the bond worked right then maybe she could convince other elves to take it instead of the old bond. Dobby explained how the bond worked and what he had changed. As it turned out is was good Hermione was there because a third person needed to witness the bond like other unbreakable oaths. The original oath involved the master welcoming the house elf into their home to serve them until they were released. Dobby thought that by adding the ability for him to leave on his own it would still work but he could remain free. Hermione insisted that they also drop the part of the oath that would force Dobby to obey any order Harry gave.
Harry knelt down and clasped Dobby's arm. As he spoke fingers of light wove up their arms. "I Harry James Potter welcome Dobby into my house, as a friend and as family. To serve until he is released from this bond either by my or his own choice."
"I Dobby do accept and shall faithful serve until I is released from this bond by either my master or my own hand." Dobby said.
The light spun around their hands before imploding in a flash. Dobby threw himself at Harry hugging him with surprising strength. "You is calling me friend and family!"
"Well I figured I might as well make the oath good." Harry awkwardly patted Dobby's back.
"So did it work?" Hermione said.
"Oh yes Dobby is feeling the magic." Dobby said, he was practically vibrating in place.
"That means you did bond, but I meant the rest of it? Do you still have to follow orders? Harry tell him to do something silly. Dobby see if you're compelled too." Hermione said.
"Alright. Dobby, dance." Harry said, it was the first thing that had come to his mind.
Dobby stood still with his head cocked to the side. "Dobby is not feeling the magic making him do it. Dobby is still free!" Then he did begin to dance. Or at least what they assumed was supposed to be a dance.
"Congratulations Dobby. So what will you do now that you know the new oath works?" Hermione asked.
"Dobby is hoping the great Harry Potter would be willing to hire me." Dobby said with a shy look towards Harry.
"Are you sure? I don't have a house or anything to take care of. You'd probably be bored." Harry said.
"Dobby is being sure. Dobby is having hobbies to do when he is not needed." Dobby assured them.
"Well alright. I can match your current pay at Hogwarts." Harry said. Not sure how he was supposed to actually negotiate.
"Dobby accepts Dobby accepts!" The elf said jumping up and down. Then his face turned grim. "If Dobby is no longer working at Hogwarts miss needs to stop leaving clothing hidden around for house elves."
"What? But look how happy you are being free!" Hermione said.
"Dobby is knowing he is strange, Dobby is liking freedom. Most house elves is like Winky. They see freedom as shameful and the shame slowly kills them. Dobby is happy to be free because old master was bad but most house elves are treated better and are happy. Hogwarts elves very happy to help watch after the children. They is seeing you trying to free them as insulting. They refuse to clean Gryffindor tower anymore. Dobby has been doing it since you is hiding clothes." Dobby explained.
"You mean you've been cleaning the whole tower alone? And taking all the clothes I hid?" Hermione wasn't sure if she should be sorry for causing him so much work or angry that he had taken all the hats she made.
"Dobby is sorry but yes. Hogwarts elves do not want to be free. And you is not being able to free them. You is not Hogwarts. Only Headmaster or deputy kitty can free Hogwarts elf." Dobby said.
"So all this time I've just been insulting them by trying to help?" Hermione asked.
Dobby nodded.
"But it still seems wrong." Hermione complained.
"Dobby is asking you not to hid anymore clothes please. Now that Dobby is no longer working at Hogwarts other elves need to clean the tower." Dobby said.
"Alright. I promise I won't hide anymore clothes. But I won't stop trying to help them." Hermione said with determination.
Dobby nodded. "That is fair. Now does the great Harry Potter have any requests for Dobby?"
"Can you not use great in front of my name? Makes me feel like a muggle magician. Just Harry." Harry said.
"Yes sir." Dobby said.
"Could you go back to number four and get the things I left behind? Books, quills ink that stuff and bring it here? But make sure there aren't any tracking charms on them ok?" Harry said.
"Dobby is be doing it." He snapped his fingers and was gone.
Much to Harrys surprise Hermione hugged him from behind. "I'm proud of you. You helped Dobby and all house elves."
Harry swallowed, he could feel Hermione's chest pressed against his back. It was an interesting and pleasant sensation that he had no idea how to handle. "I didn't do much."
"First steps often aren't very big." Hermione said.
Dobby reappeared looking upset carrying a large pillowcase. "Dobby is being very sorry. When Dobby is getting there he is finding all of Harry Potters things burned!"
He opened the pillowcase, inside was a pile of ash. Among the ash was part of a quill, the unburned corner of a book, a discolored and cracked ink bottle. "Dobby is sorry sir. You is giving me my first task and I is failing. Dobby is promising not to fail again!"
Harry reached out and put a hand on Dobby's shoulder to steady the shacking elf. "It's alright. None of us knew my things were burned. It wasn't your fault and you still brought them back. You did exactly what I asked. Thank you."
"Harry Potter is thanking Dobby when Dobby is failing." Dobby said on the verge of tears.
"You did not fail Dobby." Harry said again, more firmly this time.
Dobby nodded and gave a watery smile before disappearing. Harry nudged the pillowcase with his foot. Hermione rested a hand on his shoulder. "Harry, are you alright?"
"Not really. But I didn't want to upset Dobby, it wasn't his fault. I can't believe they actually burned the things I left behind." Harry said flatly.
"I can. They're monsters." She hugged him from behind again. "You won't go back there if I can help it."
"Thanks." Harry said. If only he knew his dealings with the Dorsey's were far from over.
0-O-0
(A/N: Thank you all for reading. Comments and critiques are welcome; flames will be force feed to a random minion.)