ill edit later right now posting is more important

Elly was pleased to know that Jenna and Elonore were not in the house, just herself and Lloyd. She spent her first hour being awake doing homework, Charms esesy because she thought it would be easy and good to get out of the way. Lloyd was at the kitchen table, with a cup of very sweated coffee and a crossword puzzle "Good morning Ellieana."

"Good morning Uncle Lloyd." She smiled at his and not for the first time marveled how her relationship with her uncle had improved so much.

"There's a pan of eggs and sausage." Lloyd sipped his tea and taped his pen on the table.

"Great I'm starving." She made herself a plate and sat across from her Uncle.

She was glad he did not scold her for getting up late or telling her off for not showing up to breakfast at the usual time. Jenna and Eleonore would have came down on her for both reasons, the telling off would lasted ten minutes or more. Elly was again grateful that her aunt and grandmother were out of the house. Together Elly and Lloyd sat in comfortable silence; it was very nice and to Elly a welcome change to the usual meal time. Ordinarily Jenna does her best to monopolize Lloyd and Lloyd and Eleanor would agree about something.

" Where are-" Elly paused she was about to say 'Jenna and Eleanor' "Where are aunt Jenna and grandma?" She forced a smiled although any time she thought of them she was unhappy.

Lloyd looked up from his crossword puzzle, he smiled broadly and looked her in the eyes "I have no idea." and he chuckled "Not the foggiest idea." He then looked back at the puzzle and scowled. It seemed that he not the foggiest on how to solve the puzzle either.

Elly smiled at him "Any idea when they'll be back?"

"Nope, but I think they'll be home in an hour." He sips his coffee and taps his pen on the table and then writes something down. "I'll be going for a walk if you want to join me."

She did consider it while before she would have immediately would have say 'No' but she noted to herself she actually thought it over "No, thanks I'm going to do some homework and then see if Harry came home."

"You're a strange kid, I don't know anyone your age who does so much homework on the first two days of holiday. But I guess I've never met such a responsible person. That's what it means to be a Hufflepuff right? Responsible and hard working?" Lloyd had been very interested when Elly explained the different houses and all that entailed.

"That right hard working and responsible, fair and loyal." Elly said rinsing her plate she dried it and put it away.

Lloyd was quiet for a moment as he thought things over "I think I would be a Raveclaw." he said and went back to his puzzle but then he picks his head up "What houses would Jenna and Mum go into?" he asked smiling at her not excepting the answer he got.

"Slytherin" Elly growled in a very cold tone her eyes were narrowed. She then realized her cold tone was a mistake.

"What's wrong with being a Slytherin?" Lloyd asked he heard the cold snap in his niece's voice.

"Nothing is wrong with being a Slytherin." Elly said her voice forced to sound normal and even. "Besides I was nearly put in Slytherin." avoiding the question and busied herself with a drink.

"So why did you say it like that, as if your upset about something?"

Elly struggled with an answer the truth is a many layered thing. One part of the truth is that she does not like either Jenna or Eleanor. Another truth was that the Slytherins had been a pain in her ass for the whole school year from Draco Malfoy to Snape. And finally there are positive and negative attributes in every person and people who belong to the four houses.

Gryffindors tend to forgo important things like jobs, work, and whatever else for adventures, they shirk responsibilities in favor to have a good time. They seek fun and pleasure to the point of putting everything less. Ravenclaws hey do not socialize well and often have to be pulled out of their easily become workaholics finding work to be more valuable then anything or anyone else. They also have a habit of collecting and holding on to bad have a hard time distinguishing between ambition, goals and working for what you want and biting off more then you can chew,overly single fouce and steeping on people to get what you want.

Elly let out a great sigh"It's no secret that we haven't always gotten along. Even you and I had a strained relationship. Slytherins aren't bad just hard to live with sometimes, everybody is hard to live with from time to time." and with that she walked out of the kitchen.

Lloyd heaved a great sigh, she was right; They had not been much of a family in the past years, they were not much of a family now but the relationship between himself and his niece was strengthening. Lloyd suspected it might be years before everything -but still stronger he souposed. She had forgiven him a lot Lloyd supecte it is because she is young, children can do everything easier he told himself.

She went to her room and waited for what she knew would happen. A moment later Lloyd came to her door and she answered it.

"I'm off for my walk I got my mobile with me, call me if you need anything."

Elly made a quick deciction "Actually is it too late to change my mind?"

Lloyd smiled delighted "It's never too late."

Elly knew he didn't just mean walks, he also ment it was not to late for them to be a family; a real own and not just a teciquility.

"So Elly how's school and your homework? You know I would be happy to look over your homework, I don't know the magic stuff, but I can read over essyes for spelling, grammar and well not to brag but I got excellent marks while in school."

Elly smiled "Great, thanks Uncle Lloyd; I really appercite you offering help."

"You're welcome Elly."

They walked together in silence and when they reached the park they found they were not alone.

"I think I see your friend Elly. Isn't that Harry Potter?" Lloyd pointed to a skinny boy with black hair, he was standing under a tree.

"Harry!" Elly called out waving.

Harry looked over

"Oh I'm so happy to see you Harry!" Elly squealed and hugged her dear friend. "It's great to see you did you get in?"

"Yesterday. And you?" Harry grined playing the 'pretend you don't know' game was fun. Now that he has friends he can't believe how much he was missing out on. 'Pretend you don't know' is so much more fun when a friend is in on it.

"Same time I wonder how we missed each other." Elly said with a genuine-sounding astonishment.

"Hello Mr. Ross nice to see you." Harry said

"Nice to see you too Harry. Enjoying your holiday?"

"Yes, I am thanks for asking."

The normal chit chit was intrupted by Mrs. Figg who was marching up a path, "Harry Potter!" She called out as she made her way over to him.

The teens and the adult whipped around "It's Mrs. Figg." Harry told them "What is it Mrs Figg?"

"And who are you?" Mrs. Figg demeaned of Elly and Lloyd.

"His friend my name is Ellieana and her uncle."

"am Mr. Ross, Ellieana's uncle." He stuck out his hand to be shock which Mrs. Figg took and shock briskly.

"I came to ask Harry for help but I could use the help of two young people." She looked to Lloyd "Mind if I barrow her?"

"You need help? " Harry asked.

"I'll pay you of course it will be difficult but you young people should be able to handle it." Mrs. Figg said as if she was not interrupted.

"What can of work is it Mrs. Figg?" Elly asked wondering what kind of help was she expecting.

"I have all sorts of things in need of moving and I have a sick cat I'll need help with that, medication you know."

"I don't mind if she helps." Lloyd said. "It's up to her."

"I'll help, lead the way Mrs. Figg." Elly said.

"Be back before dark Elly." Lloyd said.

"I will."

Mrs. Figgs house was a short walk and it just like all the others big, square and orderly and for the first time Harry wondered what she did to earn money it was a very posh neighborhood and other then babysitting him he didn't know of any job she had.

Mrs. Figg made Elly hold a patched calico cat down Mr. Patches who is actually a female but neither Elly nor Harry said anything about the bad name choice. Mrs. Figg forced a pill down the cats throat as it was being held down. Harry was very grateful he did not have to hold the cat down or give the medication.

"All right now that that's done the real work can begin." Mrs. Figg said ignoring the hard looks Mr. Patches is giving her and looked and the two teens "Upstairs the both of you the first door on the right. "

Mrs. Figg had apparently refurnished her guest bedroom but the last hired help, did not have the patience to deal with her nitpicking, perfectionist ways. Harry and Elly quietly put up with Mrs. Figg for about an hour till she was satisfied that's perfect." Mrs. Figg said, a small smile on her face.

"What's next Mrs. Figg?" Elly asked smiling at the elder.

Harry shot her an angry look with the cat medicated and the furniture arranged he wanted to leave not do more work. He wanted to gt back to playing with Paddy not take any more orders from his old babysitter.

"Well now that you mention it, I could use some help in the attic."

Harry glared at Elly again but followed her and Mrs. Figg to the attic. Mrs. Figg had them work in her attic for an hour "Alright that's enough you two have done enough for today come and get your pay and then you may leave." She gave both Harry and Elly fifty pounds each. Elly pocked the money with out a word it seemed like a fair amount to her.

But Harry was uncomfortable by the large amount "This is a lot of money are you sure you want to give us this much?"

Now it was Elly who glared at Harry 'Shut up Harry' she thought at him.

"It is a lot of money but you did a lot of work." Mrs. Figg said what Elly was thinking. "What do you think I'm senile?" She snapped at Harry.

"No, I just don't-"

"You deserve the money I gave you." Mrs. Figg snapped "now I have friends coming over it's time for you two to leave."

Harry and Elly walked own the walk way together"Cool dude fifty bucks, and the work wasn't that bad." Elly said "I'm gonna spend half and safe half. What about you?"

"I'll save it till I can think of something I want." Harry said wondering where he would hide the money as the Dursleys would not let him keep it.

"You should come over, we can play games, I've got a Playstaion 2. I've got other stuff too but the PS2 is my favorite."

Harry was very tempted he was never allowed to use Dudley's PlayStations or computer "Okay let's go."

"Race you back home!" Elly shouted and ran making her way home.

Although Elly had the lead for a second Harry reached her house first. Elly was very unhappy to see her aunt came home.

"Shouldn't you be doing homework?" Jenna called out to her.

"I already did lots of homework." Elly said she didn't bother turning around to answer 'Already riding my ass about something.' She thought bitterly her teeth clenched.

Elly lead Harry to her room where the Playstation sat on the floor with one controller connected to it. "Uncle Lloyd bought it for me and tons of games. I was really surprised to see it. He said it all a welcome home present. If you don't want to play with it we can do something else."

"What kind of game do you have?"

Elly smiled "Here, look over them. You can play first or we can play together."

As Harry read the titles and looked over the covers Elly talked "I don't think Uncle Lloyd looked at any of the games he bought. He bought tons of stuff Jenna would hate for me to have. It's like he ask "What are the most popular games." and bought them all."

Harry understood what she was saying as he saw a few of the games had a sixteen years or older rating the orange 16 label on the front.

They played Tekken Tag Tournament as it turned out it was her only two player game. "Oh I thought I would've had more then that."

After an hour Elly put in her favorite game: Resident Evil 4 and she let Harry play. Harry knew he was bad, he died many time and was constantly running out of supplies but he was having fun. After another hour Elly said he was getting better; harry doubted it he was sure he was dying just as fast and burning the supplies just as quickly as when he started but he was still having fun.

"You want to stay for lunch Harry, or call your relatives and ask if you can stay later?" Lloyd asked when he realized Harry was still playing video games with his niece.

"No, I should probably go, they'll want me back soon." Harry said with a sigh.

Elly walked Harry to the door and they said their good byes. Elly went back to her room and loaded her own file of RE4 and tried to make the game distract her from her loneliness. Harry walked down and he too was feeling very lonely without his friend.

Harry was greeted by angry relatives. Not that he cared, every since he came home for the summer of his first year Harry had stopped being intimidated, by his relatives.

"You boy, get in the house now!" Vernon hissed pointing to the house is if Harry had forgotten where they live.

Harry followed closely behind by his relatives went into number four. When the door was shut Vernon pointed to the phone. "Ms. Figg called us about you." Vernon said in a strange voice, as if he was trying to contain his angry. "Said you and that girl were very helpful. And she told her friends and they want your help. Exspalin yourself boy and no lies."

Harry was very confused, was he in trouble? "She came and found me at the park, Elly was there, she come along. Ms. Fig asked for help and we helped her. That's all."

Vernon and Petunia looked at each other "Dudley must not have been available or she surely would have asked him." Petunia said not bothering to whisper.

"You're quiet right Petunia."

They turned to Harry

"You are going to work for Ms. Figg and any of her friends and you will not complain or embarrass us. If I hear any completes-" Vernon growled.

"Ms. Figg's friend Mrs. Butterflied wants your help now and you do whatever she wants. We had better not get a call from her or they'll be hell to pay boy."

"This is the address, get going." Petunia gave Harry a scrap of paper with an address.

Harry took the paper and headed out the door for Mrs. Butterflied's house.

Not long after Harry left Ms. Figg called the Ross house and Lloyd sent Elly off to the Butterflied house. "Hi Harry!" she greeted with a wave.

"Going to help Ms. Butterflied?" Harry asked as he waved back.

"Yes, hopefully this won't take long."

Harry would prefer to stay away from the Dursleys now that they were mad at him they would activity attempt to be unkind and miserable to him.

Harry and Elly walked together and knocked on the door and waited to be greeted. They didn't have to wait long. "I'll be right there." they heard a woman's voice call and soon a silver haired older woman appeared at a door smiling. "Hello I'm Mrs. Butterflied," she stuck out her hand to be shock "please come in."

Harry and Elly steeped into the house it was just like Ms. Figg's house, just like their own houses. It was clean but not obsessively like the Dursleys' are far more colorful than either the Dursleys or Ross homes. Mrs. Butterflied dressed in red blouse and orange skirt, red shoes and orange pillbox hat. "I won't keep you long, I just want help moving some furniture. But tomorrow I hope I can hire you both for an hour."

"That shouldn't be a problem for me." Elly said.

"Er..." Harry muttered he thought about how great it would be to get away from aunt Marge and the Durselys "I'll ask when I get home."

"Well for now lets get to work; in here please." Mrs. Butterflied lead them through the house to her den "I want help moving some of the furniture."

The room seemed to be a library it had three armchairs, wall to wall five foot tall bookshelves, a large coffee table and four night stands lamps on each one. For twenty minutes Harry and Elly arranged the various furniture and ultimently Mrs. Butterflied had them change very little.

"Oh thank you both so much." Mrs. Butterflied said as she fished for money "Here you go dears ." She gave them each ten pounds.

"Thank you ma'am." Elly said pocketing the money.

"Thank you." Harry put the note in his jeans pocket.

"Oh you're welcome dears. Please call me tomorrow around nine and let me know if you can help."

"Okay." said the teens.

Harry and Elly walked out of the house together smiling not bad for a small amount of work.

"Sixty bucks in one day and more money tomorrow. Not a bad summer so far." Elly said.

Harry smiled at Elly's American synonym "And away from Marge for an hour. I can normally just leave the Durseleys but since Marge wants me around to bully me, the Durseleys make me stay for her stays."

"Sucks man." Elly said sympathetically "She said she only needs us for an hour but you could-" Elly paused for a second "play in the park with me. Work for Mrs. B then ditch the Durseleys."

Harry was amused by the American term 'ditch' "Yeah maybe"

"Actually" Elly said she stopped walking "there's no reason for us to go home now."

Harry thought about it, he didn't tell the Dursleys when he would be back. "Yeah lets skive off."

Elly giggled "Yeah let's go!" she turned charged 90 degrees to the park. And once again Harry got there first. "Man you are so damn fast."

"Out running Dudley most of my life. Not anymore but I guess it got me in shape."

"Oh look its Paddy!" Elly cheered pointing to the large black dog.

The large dog totted over to them, knocking them down. They laughed breathlessly and when they were allowed off the ground they told the dog what happened. The dog seemed to listen intently, wagging his tail and braking enthusiastically. The teens and dog played for a while then Elly went home, promised to bring Paddy food after lunch. Harry stayed and played with Paddy for another hour.

When Harry did go home, he went home to upset Durselys.

"Where were you boy!?" Vernon roared as soon as Harry walked through the door.

"Why?" Harry asked.

"I'll ask the questions around here!" Vernon snarled "Where were you?"

"Mrs. Butterflied said you left her house an hour or more ago!" Petunia said accusingly.

"That's right boy. explain that." Vernon demanded.

"I left Ms. Butterfeilds house I guess an hour and I went to the park." Harry said he wanted to add 'It's no big deal.'

"She wants you again tomorrow, she called and wants you and 'your friend' over at 10 o'clock. What friend?" Petunia

"Ellieana Ross you've meet her and her family at uncle Vernon's dinner party for his work concetions."

"That girl, how is she conected to this?"

"Ms. Figg and Ms. Butterfield hired us both."

"You will be there, at Ms. Butterfield's 10 o'clock sharp and you will do the work she gives you without any check and then you will come back here after the job is complete, no dawdling." Vernon.

"Why? What if Elly wants to hang out after?"

"I don't ruddy care, you will be back as soon as Ms. Butterfield dismisses you!" Vernon

"Alright fine." Harry snarled.

"Don't give me check. Go to your room and stay there till your called for." Vernon

Harry marched off to his room in a huff and slamned himself down on his bed.