Chapter Ten: Down The River
Harry had very little friends in the wizarding world. He had only a handful he could count. Among that handful was the House Elf, Dobby. He had first met Dobby in his second year, when he tried to save Harry's life from certain danger by attempting to dissuade him (in impractical and ridiculous ways) from returning to Hogwarts.
Over the years Dobby had grown in Harry's eyes, and he now had a high amount of regard for his short, strange little friend. He very much esteemed the quirky House Elf.
It was with these feelings, that Harry called for Dobby in the Gryffindor common room. He briefed Ron and Hermione on his plan.
It wasn't foolproof, nor was it in any way the greatest idea he had ever come up with. It began the other day with his thoughts on his ancestral home. He was, technically, from a pure blood line. His mother was muggleborn, sure, but from what he'd heard his father's family had been well known, and rather prominent.
Thinking of this, Harry deduced that they must have owned property. He also knew that all pureblood families were interrelated and somehow involved with one another. Harry was going to rely on Dobby's knowledge of the pureblood world to gain more information on the whereabouts of such a place.
"Master Harry Potter, Sir. Dobby is at your service." Dobby bowed so low his long and slightly bent nose touched the ground, and his hat (knit by Hermione) nearly fell off. Harry reached over to straighten it.
"Dobby." Harry said through his teeth. He wasn't angry at him, just filled with a nervous energy. "I have a favor to ask of you."
Dobby nodded eagerly and began to stammer out his happiness at the opportunity to assist the 'great' Harry Potter. Harry waved a hand, which sent the elf into silence.
"Before I say anything Dobby, I need to know that I can have full confidence in you. No part of our conversation can ever leave us four. It's very important that no one catches wind of this, not even the Headmaster or the Minister."
"Harry Potter can have full faith in Dobby, sir. Dobby will not speak a word." Dobby spoke these words so seriously, and had such a hardened glint in his eyes, that Harry knew he could believe him.
"Dobby, do you know of any ancestral home of my family?"
Harry knew Dobby could not have anticipated the question and waited for the House Elf to think.
"Or for that matter…" Hermione interjected. "Do you know of any uncharted manors or houses, no longer in use? A hidden place? Perhaps a pureblood manor that has been abandoned or forgotten?"
Harry shifted in his seat. "I know Dobby, that the House Elves have served the wizarding world, for so long, and so well," Dobby puffed a little at these words. "Surely there are records of places or… or a family history? Has your family always worked for the Malfoy's?"
"Most history is passed on by word of mouth, Mr. Potter, Sir." Dobby said, almost regretfully. "History is kept in families, and a House Elf would never betray his family's secrets or hidden locations. But Dobby knows of some things, Mr. Potter."
Harry leaned closer to the Elf. Hermione put her hand on his shoulder and wordlessly cast another protection charm around the group. Harry nodded gratefully, knowing that his had most likely worn off by now.
"Dobby knows a friend, Sir. In the kitchens of the school, who's family served yours, Mr. Potter, Sir."
Dobby disappeared with a pop and reappeared with an older looking House Elf. The House Elf, who was introduced as Reginald, did not appear to be pleased to be pulled from his work in the kitchens. He did, however, straighten in the presence of Harry, Ron and Hermione and remembered to bow.
He was balding, and wearing a green work shift. His shift bore the insignia of Hogwarts, though it was stained with what Harry assumed to be flour and grease. His ears were stuffed with cottony white hair and his skin was sagging underneath his chin.
"Reginald worked for Potter's, Mr. Potter. He would know of such a place." Dobby squeaked excitedly.
Reginald turned what might have been a withering stare on Dobby. However, his bright blue eyes were intercepted with Harry's. Harry silently pleaded to him and it appeared to be received by the older House Elf.
"How can I be of service, Master Potter?" His voice was raspy, as if he spoke very little.
"We were wondering if you knew of any home my family had?" Harry asked. "Or if there was any other hidden location that House Elves knew of."
The House Elf blanched and shook his head. "I'm afraid that Potter Manor was destroyed many years ago, in the first war with… You-Know-You. The Master and Mrs. Potter were killed, and the house destroyed. I barely escaped with my life, young Master. After that, I was offered sanctuary here at Hogwarts."
"If you're inquiring to know more, the goblins handled most of the family affairs, I would look there." Reginald nodded his head. "Yes, crafty creatures. Not loyal or kind, but knowledgable."
"Do all the House Elves that come to Hogwarts come from other families?" Hermione asked.
Reginald turned his head to her and nodded, his chin quivering. "Yes, most do. Though one or two are from Hogwarts themselves. Before that, I know not."
"Most House Elves have their history passed down orally." Dobby chimed in. "My family has worked for generations for the Malfoy's. Until now."
Reginald looked at Dobby disapprovingly, but said nothing. Dobby looked very young and ridiculous compared to the sterner, more aged Elf.
"Could you please call for one of the original House Elves," Hermione asked. "One with the most knowledge of the history of Hogwarts. Or someone who used to work for a deceased family?"
Reginald gave her a strange look. Dobby just bowed to her and disappeared with a pop. The elderly Elf sighed wearily and addressed Harry one more time. "It was a pleasure to see you, Master Potter." Then he too, disappeared.
"Do you think it's possible one of the elves knows of a place we can hide?" Ron asked. "If it's a pureblood place, though, You-Know-Who will know where it is. These older houses have so many booby traps and protective wards placed on them, from centuries ago. Someone will know we're there."
"Our only shot is a place that someone has forgotten about." Harry replied. "Or a place no one knows exists, even if it is a pureblood house. We haven't got much of a choice, Ron. We can't go to Grimmauld Place, the Order is there, and they've been infiltrated by spies before. Peter Pettigrew betrayed my parents easily enough. The fewer people we trust, the better."
"If we went to your family, Ron, or yours Hermione, that would put them in danger. We can't go to the Ministry, Hogwarts is too obvious a place, and it's right on Voldemort's radar."
"We have to go to a place he doesn't know. Someplace no one would bother to look." Harry scratched his chin, thinking.
"When you think about it, it's rather brilliant to ask the House Elves, Harry." Hermione said. Harry and Ron turned to look at her, both incredulous. "It's something Voldemort would never think of himself. They're too far below him to be of any concern."
"Yeah," Ron nodded. "And Dobby practically worships you, mate." Ron laughed and trailed off as a bunch of fourth year girls entered the common room. They waited for them to move up the stairs before relaxing.
Dobby returned, this time without Reginald, and with a new elf. She was shorter than Dobby, and had wide brown eyes. She was also much younger than Harry expected.
"Penny at your service, Mr. Potter, Sir!" She squeaked. Her voice was so high pitched Harry almost had to cover his ears. "Mr. Potter wants to know of secret place?"
"Er… yes, Penny, that would be great." Harry said. "Do you know of someplace?"
"Yes! Penny's family work for many years in Hogwarts. But they never forget where they come from. We worked for a very important family, yes sir. And we never forget their kindness sir. Very rich family, sir. Very rich. But small, and they die many centuries ago. So small a family. They leave their home and never return. So long ago, no one remember them! It is a very sad story, Mr. Potter."
"Would you mind telling it to us, Penny?" Hermione goaded.
Penny blushed and bowed. "Of course! I learn this story from my mother, who learned it from her mother. Many years ago we worked for family Frewer. A pureblood family, as any. They were rich and well known. For many years they prospered, until one generation spent the family riches and they slowly fell into ruin. One brother died in war while the other wasted away with sickness. The last brother abandoned the house, alone and without family. He sell the Elves to Hogwarts to pay off last of family debts. Alone he lived, and alone he died. But he made Penny family swear to never destroy house or land, the last remains of his family. They remain forgotten and secret to the world."
"Penny, is there any way we can go there?" Harry asked, eagerly.
"Penny don't know. She visit only once, when she was very little. She remember how to appear there, but not where it is. All of Penny's family remember how to get there, but its location remains hidden."
"We have to try…" Hermione said. "Penny, how long ago was this, what was this place called?"
"Penny know not how long ago, only that this story told many years ago. It was passed for many generations. My grandmother called it Tourlaville."
"Do you think you have it in you to take us there, Penny? Can you take us to Tourlaville?" Harry didn't like the desperate edge to his voice.
"Well…" Harry knew he was asking a lot.
"We will never map it, or show anyone else it's location. This remains between us. It would offer us a place to hide from Voldemort."
"The evil wizard?" Penny's eyes grew wide, and she took this news heavily. Finally she nodded her head.
"I can take you there, Mr. Potter. The Frewer wizards are all gone, it would only be right."
"Thank you, Penny." Hermione smiled, they all sagged their shoulders with relief. "We promise to protect it, and never reveal it to anyone else."
"Thank you Masters!" Penny bowed.
"Will you meet us in the kitchens, at midnight Penny?" Harry asked.
"Penny would be happy too, Mr. Harry Potter!"
The rest of the day was painful for the trio. Harry, Ron and Hermione agreed it would be best to pretend nothing had transpired. So, they attended classes under the pretense of their normal daily routine. Harry found it increasingly difficult to be around Ginny.
He knew they had grown close over the last few weeks. He knew she would be shattered once he left. He hated himself, but he couldn't ask her to leave with him. They hadn't known each other that long and Harry would be putting her in a danger she did not fully understand. Ron and Hermione had been with him through hell. They had fought with him, cried with him, and guided him through certain doom.
He knew Ron and Hermione were willing and stubborn. They were his only friends on this Earth. Ginny was a friend, and at the same time she was something else, something that Harry didn't understand and didn't want to.
Harry watched her at dinner, not touching his food. Dumbledore and some Order members, even Snape, were gone to the meeting. Harry scoffed. Little did they know, he wouldn't be at Hogwarts when they returned.
In the common room, Harry and Ron waited for the boys in their dormitory to fall asleep, before casting a few silencing charms. Harry's magic came easily to him now that he wasn't thinking. In fact, over these last few days it had become much easier to perform spells.
Harry packed Primal Magick in his trunk. All of his school books and clothes. He dressed for the cold November weather, and not knowing exactly where they were going frightened and thrilled him. He had never run away from home before. He felt sneaky and dirty, and at the same time comforted and encouraged by the presence of Ron and Hermione.
Ron and Harry shrunk their trunks and bags. Both slung their broomsticks over their shoulders. Harry noticed Ron had had the foresight to dress for colder weather too. "When we're in the kitchens we should get some food. And supplies." Ron stated.
Harry nodded and they both quietly descended downstairs. Harry and Ron left their beds, for the first time, clean and made. It was a solemn sight.
They met Hermione at the base of the stairs, already waiting for them. The trio proceeded to the kitchens. The walk through Hogwarts was quiet. Each hallway was dark and silent. They never ran into Filch, ghosts, any prefects or professors, or Filch's cat. Harry had already gone to the Owlery earlier and Hedwig had been informed of his plans. He also gave her two letters to deliver upon his departure.
One was addressed to Professor Dumbledore, and the other to Ginny Weasley. Ron had left a note to his parents on his bed. They had all agreed to keep it short. Stating they had gone, and that they were safe. Don't make contact and don't send owls. Hermione planned on never informing her parents. She confessed to Harry that she planned to obliviate them of their memory as soon as she had a chance.
Harry wondered if he should do the same to the Dursley's. He knew that Hermione loved her parents. She loved them so much she was going to erase herself from their memories to ensure they would be in no danger.
In the kitchens, Hermione stopped Ron and Harry and waved her wand over both of them. "There." She smiled.
"What did you do?" Ron asked. Harry felt a strange tingling feeling run over his body.
"Since I'm of age, I haven't got the Ministry trace of underage magic on me." Hermione explained. "I've been researching it these last couple of days and realized any place we'd go they could track us. So I decided to dabble a little bit…" Here, she cleared her throat and blushed. "With a little bit of help from Fred and George I've discovered a way to remove the trace, but it has to be placed on something else."
"Something else… like what?" Harry furrowed his brow. "A teapot?"
"Well…" Hermione pulled two furry things out of her pockets.
"Hermione you can't be serious." Ron's mouth twitched. "You're going to put our trace on two rats?"
"Well, this way if they track you, you'll be seen as being at Hogwarts. They'll be none the wiser. They'd most likely think that Dumbledore was hiding us somewhere in the castle."
Harry grinned widely and laughed. "That's brilliant Hermione."
After some complex magic by Hermione, they released the rats onto the floor, where they sat, rather stunned, before scurrying off in different directions.
"Master Potter?" Penny stood before them, nervously darting her eyes around the room. "It is nearly midnight."
Harry, Ron and Hermione stood close to the House Elf. She reached her hand up and they all grabbed hold of her. Dobby stood close by and before Harry left, he nodded to Dobby. Penny would be obliviated by Dobby when she returned, and would never remember what she did that day. Harry felt bad, but it was the only way. Reginald's memory had already been erased.
"Ready?" Ron and Hermione nodded the affirmative. Harry felt the familiar pull at his navel. Elf magic was different, Harry realised. He felt like he was being pulled backwards instead of forwards. He saw lights and colors fly by and felt the trio leave the wards surrounding Hogwarts. He could feel himself flying through space and time.
They landed with a small thump in a grassy clearing, it was sprinkled with frost and a little snow. Harry looked at the forest around him, puzzled.
"Harry," Ron nudged him. "Turn around."
Harry spun quickly and came face to face with an abandoned garden. It was overgrown and covered with vines, but the original foundation was still there. Harry, Ron and Hermione bid farewell to Penny, who disappeared, before following the stone pathway to the looming building in the distance.