In the years between the First and Second Blood Wars, several Creature Masters noticed disturbing trends in the creatures they studied. A few, such as the notable Xenophilius Lovegood*, referred to it as 'The Quickening'. Various creatures responded in different ways. The wild thestrals of Britain, as a whole, either relocated to Hogwarts or attached themselves to bereaved families. The Unicorns dispersed, going about singly instead of in herds. The most noteworthy changes, though, were in the more humanoid species. The Mermen of Ireland and the White Cliffs of Dover became irritable, frequently shrieking at the shores in frustration. (See 'The Fisherman's Plight, 1985, for more details.) The normally irritable and rowdy goblins became tightlipped and withdrawn, remaining mostly within the halls of their banks. The most striking difference, however, was found in the 'house-elves' of that time. A steady weakening in the master-servant bonds customary went unnoticed by most elf-owners, with eventual disastrous consequences.
Note: In certain places, including Hogwarts and its environs, and the Welsh creature preserve, the status quo was maintained for over twenty years longer than anywhere else. See 'Magical Leylines: Their Effect on You' by Lanessa Greengrass for speculation as to the causes.
-from the prologue to FREE: a history of Elves, by Hermione Granger
It was a remarkably quiet day at Number Four Privet Drive. Normally, Vernon Dursley would have begun reading the newspaper by now and loudly declaiming his opinions on anything and everything (mostly bad) and what he would do to fix anything and everything (send it to Hell, or at least the colonies.) (He was still living in the age of the British Empire.) If one were to glance inside Number Four Privet Drive, however, the sight that waited would be most surprising.
The situation was thus: Harry Potter sat at the table, eating an enormous breakfast that included sausages, eggs, toast, juice, and a rather large grapefruit. Hovering over him was Dobby, watching with round eyes to ensure that every bite of breakfast was eaten. Across the table sat Dudley Dursley, who also had a not-insubstantial breakfast. It was not as large as Harry's, granted, but it would have pleased any normal person. Of course, Dudley was no normal person, and he normally would have complained, but today he simply sat frozen, eyes tracking the house-elf, as he slowly ate. It had been a battle to teach him table manners, but after the seventh time his knuckles were rapped with a spatula, he had begun to make an effort.
On Harry's right sat Petunia Dursley, tight-lipped and shaking. Picking at her eggs, she tried to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, hoping not to attract undesired attention.
On Harry's left—back to the wall—sat Vernon Dursley. He had refused to eat anything the house-elf made, so he sat and stared at his grapefruit, veins throbbing. Every thirty seconds he would change colors, in an ongoing cycle that had lasted since Harry returned.
First, he turned red. How dare that boy—here—this freakish creature—. Then purple. It's watching me—with its freaky eyes—how dare—. Finally, white. —.
And so on and so forth.
It was rather entertaining the first day. By now, it was simply monotonous. So Harry was glad when the doorbell rang. He sprang up to go get it—
"Harry Potter will sit down and finish his breakfast! Dudley will go get the door." Dobby eyed the aforementioned boy threateningly.
"Make Har—no wait, I'll do it! I'll do it!" Waddling as quickly as he could to the door, Dudley opened it and said, "May I hel—gah!"
Three seconds later, Luna Lovegood knelt over the curious creature. It was huge! Pulling out her enlarging glass and her notebook, she began to study the insensate mass. It was obviously not a dwarf-nor a troll-nor an ogre. In fact, Luna had never seen such a creature before.
"Daddy will be so pleased," she murmured absently. "A new species, and it's not even half-past nine! I wonder if he'll be able to see it."
"Hello? Who is it?" Hearing the voice from down the hall, Luna casually threw a 'Stupefy!' towards the downed creature and stalked into the kitchen, assuming the air of a prowling predator.
As she entered the kitchen, her keen mind quickly observed several facts:
One, Harry Potter was sitting at the table, and he did not appear to have Nargles (yet);
Two, there was another creature like the first sitting at the table with Him (more specimens! Yay!);
Three, a woman who might have been Harry's aunt was also sitting at the table, and she had the worst case of Snarling Teenylances that Luna had ever seen; and
Four, the house-elf actually was a house-elf, and it seemed to be treating her as a threat.
From her position in mid-air, Luna calmly stated, "Hello, Harry Potter. I subdued your Grunting Dwoll. It's in the lobby, if you want it."
Harry set down his napkin and looked up at her. "Are you talking about Dudley? Also, I don't believe I heard your name."
"Oh," she said absently, "I didn't tell you. Why is Malfoy's house-elf in your house?"
"That's a long story. Why don't you—"
"That's alright. I love long stories. Is Dudley the name of your Grunting Dwoll? It seems fitting, but a little harsh. After all, would you like it if people called you Vertley? I should think not."
Vernon let out a sort of sobbing moan of suppressed rage, then carefully removed himself from his seat and began to leave the table.
"You is not clearing your place, Harry Potter's uncle!" Dobby snapped, still not removing his eyes from Luna. Vernon whimpered as he picked up his plate and placed it gingerly in the sink before attempting to remove his son from the hallway—unsuccessfully.
Harry finally noticed that Luna was floating. "I think you can let her down now, Dobby. She seems rather harmless."
"Seeming is not being is, Harry Potter sir! Who is she being, and why is she here?" Dobby said.
"Why don't we ask her that?" requested Luna, crossing her legs and assuming a seated position. "I think she might have something to say about it."
"I'm sorry, my name is Harry Potter. What's yours?"
"I'm Luna. Luna Lovegood."