Dinner that evening was a rowdy affair. Teddy had been delighted to see George again, well as delighted as a six month old could be anyway. Harry thought that changing his hair to Weasley Orange was a sign of appreciation and it was a good almost-laugh that George made when he saw it. Luna had then charmed her hair the same which broke the ice between her and James who had requested the same thing. Arriane was more interested in eating Neville's hair than anything else whilst the other two girls were a little more wary. By the time Kreacher was levitating pudding to the table though, they were laughing along at George's antics.

When dinner was done, Neville and Luna took their leave whilst Harry and George washed the dishes. The kids were being bathed upstairs and Kreacher was sat at the kitchen table looking over his meal plan for the next week.

"Is it really that bad back home?" Harry asked in the quiet kitchen.

"Yeah a bit," George admitted taking a plate from Harry and drying it. He could've used magic – at The Burrow he would've been expected to – but doing it manually was relaxing in a way. "It's not really home anymore I s'pose. Fred and I," his voice shook but he continued. "We'd moved out and we'd made the flat home. And there are so many memories. I mean even here there are memories but not as many as anywhere else. And I don't want complete quiet. I just want to live you know? Fred would've wanted that. And if it had been me that died and Fred was here then I would've told him to do the same. I have to live for both of us now. And I can't do that in a house that is nearly silent with people who don't know how to treat me and tiptoe around me in case they say the wrong thing," George took a deep breath and lowered his voice down a notch. "Fred is dead and he's never coming back. Nothing is going to change that so I just have to look forward. Plus seriously, six kids Harry? I know Kreacher could keep sixty in line if he needed to," George tipped his head to the elf who waved a hand imperiously, "but mate you've only got two hands. You'll never be able to take all that lot shopping or to the park or on day trips anywhere!"

"Well you're welcome here as long as you want and as long as you need. Teddy won't be shipping off to Hogwarts for another ten years so…" Harry squealed as George flicked the tea towel at him and retaliated by flinging water back at him. It would've turned into all out war if Kreacher hadn't coughed pointedly.

"Sorry Kreacher," both young men muttered looking chastised before giggling. Kreacher rolled his eyes. Eight children in the house to look after!

Finishing up with the dishes, Harry pulled three cans of coke from the fridge before joining Kreacher and George at the table.

"So what culinary delights have you got planned for us next week Kreach?" George asked popping open his can.

"Chicken tikka masala," the old elf replied promptly.

"That'll be the second time in a week!" Harry laughed. He had bought some cookbooks for Kreacher as a present when he had picked up muggle clothes, toys and books for the kids earlier in the week.

"Kreacher likes it," the elf grumbled.

"It's good. Best food ever I reckon," George agreed. Trying out muggle fast food restaurants had been a favourite activity for him and Fred after a busy day in the shop. There was so much choice in the other world. Clothes and music too.

"Since George is here, I was thinking I might move my room upstairs too and then we can convert the whole of the first floor for the kids. They're going to need a school room or something and eventually they'll each want their own bedrooms." Harry said.

"You mean you want Teddy out of your room?" George asked.

"Wait 'til you see upstairs," Harry grinned. "Nanna had the rooms rearranged and redecorated as soon as she got here. It's amazing! I'm going to rope the elves in to renovate this place. You're gonna help too whilst you're here sponging off me," he teased, squealing as George got him in a headlock and rubbed his knuckles over Harry's perpetually messy hair.

"Master suggested an adults floor but Kreacher be confused who be sleeping there," the elf said sarcastically.

"Well you'll definitely have to have a room," Harry shot back with a smirk.

"Oh yeah, the biggest one definitely!" George said resting his chin on Harry's shoulder as he stood behind him.

Kreacher glared. Master didn't need ideas!

"We really need to sit down and work out what we're going to do with the kids actually. Who knows how long it'll take the Ministry to sort out this mess so we best assume we've got them indefinitely. It's only been a week and I think we've managed to get the basics sorted but what about schooling? All the kids are old enough for infant school in the muggle world but enrolling them in the local primary school would raise too many questions. Is there a wizarding equivalent?" Harry said settling down next to Kreacher whilst George sat on the opposite side of the table.

"There's a small school in Hogsmeade and another in Godric's Hollow. Well there was, I don't know if they survived the war. Otherwise we could hire a tutor maybe?" George said. "Mum taught us at home but I don't think we want to ask her anytime soon..."

Harry flinched. Yeah, asking Mrs Weasley for any favours was going to be a bad idea.

"Kreacher be asking other elves when he be shopping. But Master can be leaving children with other elves whilst he and Master George work on house," Kreacher hinted not-so-subtly. "Master be having a life too."

Two days later the first tutor that Kreacher had hired arrived on the doorstep.

"Andy? It's nice to meet you," Harry greeted the stunned man. All the dealings had been through Kreacher so Andy had no idea he was going to be working for Harry Potter.

"Mr Potter, it's an honour," he said stepping into the old house.

"Sorry it's a bit grim in here. I'm working to try and renovate it but it's slow going. If you want to come through to the kitchen we can sit and talk and then you can meet the kids,"

Andy was a tall, 30-something man. He had a gentle look about him and reminded Harry of a younger Remus.

"Your representative said there were four children Mr Potter?" Andy said getting down to business. And he was curious why the Hero of the Wizarding World had four children that needed teaching.

"Yeah. Tom is eight, Octavia seven, James is six and then Ursula is four. I have no idea what level they're at I'm afraid. They were brought in when I went to register guardianship of my godson and there was nowhere for them to go so I took them on. It's not like I'm lacking in space here in this house..." Harry explained as he opened the door and let Andy into the kitchen. "Please have a seat. I'm not sure exactly what they went through since the war ended and they were found. They've only been with me a week so we're still getting to know one another but I'd like to establish a routine and given that Tom only has three years before Hogwarts then schooling needs to be part of that. Tea?"

Andy blinked a few times as he processed the information Harry had given him before realising Harry had asked him a question.

"Oh, yes please. White with two sugars thanks."

Kreacher, who had been waiting by the cooker until now, levitated over a teapot and two cups. This was soon joined by a third when Harry waved his wand at the cupboard. Kreacher restrained himself from rolling his eyes but only just, something Harry smirked at even whilst the tutor was oblivious.

"This is Kreacher," Harry said as he poured tea into the three cups. Kreacher had to struggle to climb on to the bench - Harry had resized them in deference to having an adult guest. "He was the one who hired you on my behalf. He'll be joining us today." The tone in Harry's voice dared Andy to make a comment about a lowly house elf sitting at a table and sharing refreshments with them. Andy hadn't become a tutor because he was stupid though and whatever his personal thoughts, he kept his tongue.

"So I mostly deal with magical subjects. Basic potions, arithmency, runes. That sort of thing. Were there any specific lessons you wanted me to focus on?" Andy started.

"No whatever you think is best. I grew up with Muggle guardians so I missed all of this. I don't suppose you take on adult students too do you?" Harry joked. Andy smiled.

"Well I can provide all the materials and books for the children. Is there a room set up for teaching them? Do you have any other tutors arranged yet?"

"We have a room lined up but haven't converted it yet. It won't take long for it to be ready though. We haven't found any other tutors yet although Kreacher is looking."

"Tutors be needing to be discreet and good. Hard to find ones that be both that and have free time," Kreacher said as he sipped his tea. He'd picked Andy from a long, long list of recommendations other elves had given him. He'd been one of Kreacher's top picks because almost every elf had included him in their list. Kreacher was very thankful he was available because he did in fact also take adult classes and Kreacher wasn't just thinking of his young children.

"Might I suggest someone? She's a squib but I suspect that won't be a problem for you?" Andy asked. Harry shook his head. "Miss Grant taught me both magical and muggle history when I was younger before she retired. Her husband died at the beginning of the year, a heart problem or something, he was a muggle, and she's been looking for students to give her something to do with her free time now. She might even be willing to take other subjects if you asked her," Andy offered.

Harry shared a look with Kreacher and Andy could tell they were having a conversation without words. As a pureblood he'd grown up around elves, not in his family but his friends had had one or two. The elves certainly hadn't been mistreated but they weren't considered family members and invited to sit at the table in a conversation either. They definitely weren't as close and obviously respected as this elf was to Harry. And anyone that could gain the respect of Harry Potter was obviously a being worth respecting.

"That would be great thanks," Harry said once they'd finished their silent discussion. Well, unspoken discussion - it appeared that house elves were capable of telepathic conversation much like legimency. Yet another reason Harry was never going to piss Kreacher off! "What days would you be able to do Andy, and then I'll take you up to meet the kids?"

AN: I am in need of a beta for this story. Any offerers please PM me.