Chapter 38 - Tying Up Loose Ends
September 23rd, 1997
"Hello, Filch," said Harry as he came into view. Argus Filch didn't look like he had had a lot of sleep. Harry had dropped off yesterday's Daily Prophet earlier; the one with the story about McGonagall's torture, and imminent death. Harry had told Filch that if McGonagall lived, he would live; if she died, he died. Reading stories about how the healers had given up hope and it was only a matter of a few hours didn't help to make him look forward to Harry's next visit.
"How ...how's Min ... Min ... Minerva?" he asked. He was shaking like the proverbial leaf.
"You tie a ribbon around her and hand her to Lord Voldemort without a second thought and now she's Minerva?" asked Harry with growing anger.
"I mean Headmistress McGonagall!" shouted Filch in terror. He was almost in tears from fright. Harry might have pitied him if he didn't know he deserved every second of it.
"The Headmistress is back home at Hogwarts," said Harry. "She said she would rather be here than a hospital when her time comes." That was true, if misleading.
"She's still alive, then?" asked Filch, his heart beating just a little faster.
"Last time I checked," said Harry, sadly. "If you have any information that is useful, now is the time to tell me. I'm afraid Ron and Hermione are arguing over the best way to dispose of you right now. Ron thinks we should cut you into little pieces."
"What does Hermione think?" asked Filch out of shocked curiosity.
"Big pieces," said Harry. "So, what's it going to be, Filch? Anything that might persuade us to be merciful?"
Filch broke down. Dropping to his knees, he shouted, "I don't know nothing! I didn't know that they wanted McGonagall until I got the owl from Snape! I was just supposed to spy on you!"
"That didn't seem to stop you from betraying her, though," replied Harry, coldly.
"I didn't have any choice," cried the old squib. "Once I was in, they told me to do as I was told or they'd kill me."
"And what exactly did you think that I'd do when I caught you?" asked Harry. He was staring at Filch now, looking for anything he could use.
"Why do you think I made a run for it?" asked Filch, a little sarcastically. "I was dead either way." He sat on his cot and cried, holding his cat.
"What were you promised?" asked Harry. "What was the price for your soul?"
"Money, of course," replied Filch. "A thousand galleons a month with a bonus for anything important."
"It's still September," said Harry. "Did you even have time to collect anything?"
Filch remained silent. He turned away from Harry out of embarrassment, as much as shame.
McGonagall had heard enough. Throwing back the invisibility cloak that Harry had lent her, she walked up to the glass. "You bastard!" she shouted. "You didn't even have the brains to sell me to Voldemort? You did it on credit?" McGonagall had heard of some stupid criminals in her day but Filch took the cake.
"Professor!" shouted Filch, lunging for the wall. "Thank God, you're alive!" He was shaking again, this time in relief.
"Yes," said McGonagall, "I'm alive. No thanks to you. Harry saved me, of course." She was still furious at how cheaply he had sold her. "He had to risk his life to do it and it cost him a dear friend but he undid your treachery." She paced back and forth for a bit, her anger getting the better of her when she thought of the damage that was done by the man in front of her.
"I didn't know what they wanted you for," pleaded Filch, pointlessly. "I didn't know that they were going to torture you."
"What in the world did you think Voldemort would do with her?" shouted Harry. He, too, was still angry with the fool in the cell. "At the very least you should have known he was going to kill her when he was done." He started to mimic Minerva by pacing in a circle.
"I didn't know what else to do," moaned Filch. "I only wanted to make some money by spying on you. Nott was supposed to do the dirty work, like his father." He was getting hysterical now. "I never meant to hurt anyone. They said I had to help them or I'd die." He was huddled on the floor now, his cat nuzzling up against him.
Harry stopped his pacing. He needed to get the full measure of the man before deciding his fate. "Filch," he said, "Minerva is back, safe and whole. I lost my most faithful servant, though. You must make atones for Dobby and then I might release you, though where you would go is beyond me. Your master has lost ten Death Eaters this time around, including Bellatrix Lestrange. I doubt he would welcome you. Still, if you do something to make up for Dobby, I will consider your release."
"Of course, of course," said Filch, eagerly. This was more than he could hope for. He didn't notice McGonagall confront Harry and him waving her off. "What do I have to do?"
"An eye for an eye," said Harry. "You caused the death of Dobby. Kill your cat right now or the deal's off."
Filch shuddered and backed away from Harry and his cat. He didn't notice Harry pulling out his wand and holding it by his side. "Kill Mrs. Norris?" he asked, in shock. If he loved anyone, it was her.
"It is your only chance," said Harry. "You have ten seconds to decide." He made to look at his watch but held his wand behind his robes.
Filch thought for only a second and then went to grab his cat. With tears streaming down his eyes, he put his hands on her throat and ... froze. Mrs. Norris squirmed out of his clutches and hissed at him from across the cell.
"Finite incantatum," said Harry, releasing him. Filch fell to the floor. "I just wanted to see if you would put anyone's life before your own," said Harry. "Mrs. Norris is quite possibly your only friend in the world but you didn't hesitate long for even the chance at freedom. You told me earlier that she was also spying on me, so I guess you deserve each other. Enjoy your time here."
Harry restored Filch's cell to silent mode and he and Minerva walked out of the cell block.
They arrived at the office of the Fortress of Solitude around fifteen minutes to eight. Slider and the ten volunteer house elves would be there at eight o'clock. This was Minerva's first visit so everything was new. Harry had arranged for Martha to meet McGonagall and give a brief talk about her department. Martha had been, of course, a former student but it had been eight years so they pretty much needed to start their relationship from scratch. Martha had determined that in most cases one elf could monitor up to four maps. The exceptions were the Ministry of Magic, Diagon Alley and Buckingham Palace, due strictly to the number of visitors at any given time. She also kept one elf and herself free to assist any of them if they should get busy for some reason. Although it never arose, she could also call on the data entry elves for further help if required. They were currently monitoring thirty five areas and had seating and map space for thirteen more. Data entry was a full time job for two elves on each shift.
They finished with the short tour with five minutes to spare. Minerva took the time to look around the main office. Ron and Hermione had arrived.
Walking over to Hermione, she said, "That is quite the book case you have there, Hermione." She had seen it before but never in operation. Hermione was researching something and had already removed several books from the small case.
"I find it very useful, Mom," said Hermione, remembering her introduction from this morning but still surprised at her own cheek.
McGonagall looked a little surprised, too, but also knew the origin of the comment. "I see," she said, trying to think of an appropriate witticism. She was distracted as Hermione took out three more books. "How many books do you have in there, my dear?" she asked.
"Around forty thousand, give or take," answered Hermione. "It was a present from Harry and Dobby." She looked back at the bookcase with fond memories of the elf who enchanted it.
Minerva might have been shocked but she held it in. "That explains the lack of book shelves behind your desk," she mused. She continued around until she got to the trophy case. She smiled as she looked inside. Only the one plaque was evident, of course. After reading it, she turned to Harry in a teasing manner and said, "Is your medal out getting polished?"
"It is being held in a place of higher honor," said Harry. "Dobby has it around his neck, along with one from Professor Dumbledore. We both thought he deserved them."
Minerva was silent. After a moment, she said, "I am now starting to understand just how much of a loss Dobby was. I hope that your mission will be able to succeed without him."
Just then, several pops were heard outside and a group of elves stood waiting.
"His heirs have arrived, Minerva," said Harry with a smile. "We will continue; stronger than ever."
The elves were a somber group. Slider was there with nine others. Harry knew a few of them including Jumper and Sleepy, both of whom had already been on a mission. Harry got right to business.
"Good evening, everyone," he said. "Thank you for coming." Again, he was surprised by the lack of multiple responses. They had figured out group speaking dynamics fairly quickly. "I want to say first off, that I understand the sacrifice that you are all willing to make. Being freed is seen as the worst thing that can happen and you are willing to accept that in order to more fully help us fight Voldemort. I want to assure you that none of us here, including Headmistress McGonagall, will think, or could for that matter, any less of any of you." He was trying to project pride in them as he talked and it seemed that the Fawkes assisted speech was working. "As I have said before, our one example of a willingly free house elf, Dobby, did nothing but bring honor to you all. He was still able to perform all necessary duties with a level of professionalism that I find astounding, even now. Do not be afraid of being a worse elf for being free." He paused to allow any comments from the audience. Hearing none, he continued.
"As I am sure Slider has explained to all of you, this is strictly a volunteer group. It has the potential, as Dobby found out, to be extremely dangerous. Although I hope to avoid direct confrontations with Voldemort in the future, we will almost certainly be engaging Death Eaters. Some of these have nearly as much ability as Voldemort himself. There may be more deaths. The only advantage that your freedom brings is the ability to join us on offensive strikes. I have seen first hand the power of an elf. Dobby had Voldemort backing away. If he hadn't sacrificed Bellatrix Lestrange by calling for her to help him, I have no doubt that Dobby could have seriously injured him. For reasons that must remain secret, he can not be killed, yet. Making him mortal again is our most secret goal and the purpose of all we do. If anyone has any questions or concerns, now is the time for you to ask them."
"Harry Potter," said Sleepy. "When you is asking for help with the saving of Mistress, you is not ordering Dobby to help. Is this being the way of all trips with Harry Potter?" She wanted to know if they had to fight, despite the odds.
"This is, and will remain, an all volunteer team," said Harry. "I will not order anyone to follow on any mission. I will ask, however, that if you think you might not be up to fighting in general, that you withdraw and allow someone else to join this team. Naturally, last time, where we were going to fight Voldemort in unknown conditions, would be the worst case. If you think that anything less dangerous would be within your abilities, you would be fine."
"Mistress," said Slider. "Many elves is wondering if we is still being able to be Hogwarts elves if we is being free." He wanted to know if they would still have jobs.
"Of course, Slider," said McGonagall. "I have no doubt that you would still be loyal to the school and myself. I will also take back any elf that wishes after the war is over, free or not." This seemed to have a heartening effect on the elves. To know that they were welcome and could become slaves again, if they still wished it, relieved them all.
"Harry Potter," said Jumper. "What is being happening to the other elf fighting groups?"
Ron took this question. "We will still need and use those groups," said Ron. "Providing anti-apparition wards, defending the group and recovering any wounded will still be important jobs. This group will simply add to the abilities of our forces."
"Any other questions?" asked Harry. No one spoke so he continued. "I guess that only leaves the clothes." The elves involuntarily shuddered. "Hermione had some thoughts on that, I believe." He turned to her and waited expectantly.
She looked a little unnerved, as usual in front of a group, but soldiered on. "Good evening," she began. "I was doing a little thinking about how Harry described Dobby's courage and his fight with Voldemort and I came up with this." She held up what was obviously a tea towel transfigured into small robes. They were solid red with three gold letters embroidered on the chest; "H F E". "These are cloaks so they count as clothes. The letters stand for Hogwarts Free Elf and the color is taken from one of the bravest armies in history. The Spartans wore red cloaks so that the enemy couldn't tell if they were wounded. You are also brave, so I thought it appropriate."
Harry looked at the cloak, as did Ron, Minerva, Slider and the rest of the house elves. He thought that red cloaks to hide their blood was a bit melodramatic, not to mention a little unsettling, but he could leave it to the elves themselves.
Minerva gave Harry a look that pretty much said she felt the same as him. She, too, said nothing.
The elves grouped together a little to the side and talked softly among themselves. They kept sneaking peeks at the cloak and then going back to their discussion. Finally Slider, as head elf, said, "We is wishing to be thanking Mistress Potter for thinking of the house elves and how we is to be getting clothes. We is deciding that we is being honored to be clothed as brave wizard army is and we is ready for Mistress to be giving us cloaks."
McGonagall looked at the elves and then at the cloak in Hermione's hand. She then had a question for Slider. "Slider," she asked, "If I transfigure your tea towels while they are on you and then give them to you, would that be sufficient to free you?" She new the basics of freeing an elf but had never done it before and wasn't sure how far they could bend the rules.
"If Mistress is doing as she says and is also putting her hand on the elf who is being given clothes and says, "I give you this cloak.", then Slider is thinking that is being good enough," replied Slider after a moments thought.
McGonagall walked up to Slider and said, "I am proud of you all for doing this. I want to repeat that this in no way is a punishment and that you do not have to leave Hogwarts. At any time, any of you can request to be made a slave of Hogwarts again and you will be welcomed back." She drew her wand and waved it at Slider. His tea towel transfigured into a copy of the cloak that Hermione held over her arm. Placing her hand on his shoulder, she said, "I give you this cloak, Slider." McGonagall and Slider both felt a rush of magic pass between them and then it was over. The witch felt no different but the elf was unbound for the first time in his life and he felt the loss of the connection. He was free. Only his oath to help Harry Potter kept him from rushing back to McGonagall to be enslaved. He stood to the side as the next elf, Sleepy, took his place. One by one, all of the elves were freed.
When it was over, Harry addressed them again. "I thank you again for your sacrifice. Together, we will defend the world against the enslavement of Voldemort. Tomorrow we will discuss the new ways that you will be able to help." He turned to Hermione, a little confused. "Hermione, how will we call this group when we need them?"
"Either by name or," she paused and smiled to herself. "Slider. If we call just for the Hogwarts Free Elves, will you all be able to hear us?"
"Yes, Mistress Potter," said Slider. "We can be hearing whatever name we is wanting to be hearing." He looked at the rest of the red cloaked elves and they all nodded. "We is being coming whenever you is calling for the Hogwarts Free Elves."
"Thank you, Slider," said Harry. "Thank you all. We will call you tomorrow. Hermione is always in some class or another but Ron and I will be able to start your training in the morning. For now, good night."
After a round of "good nights", the four of them were alone again, except for the elves in the map room. Martha had gone back to her flat.
"If you'll all excuse me," said Ron, "I have a date with a beautiful witch." He walked over to the right side of the statue and apparated away.
"I'm sure you remember the other end of the apparition point, Minerva," said Harry.
Minerva nodded and said, "I suppose that I should try it myself, unless you have further need for me tonight." She made to head for the statue but was held back by Hermione.
"As a matter of fact, we do, Headmistress," she said. "Harry's relatives are in one of the flats we have here," she indicated the large structure before them, "and we need your advice on how to make them feel a bit more at home. We have tried to come up with a few things that may occupy their time but they are muggles, after all, and can't roam around the castle or grounds." While they were out in southern Scotland, Harry had stopped and bought a few fishing and general sportsman magazines for his uncle. Winky had taken them to him, along with an assortment of potted plants for his aunt that Winky herself provided.
"I'm glad that there aren't any impressionable children around because I never thought I would have to say these words," said McGonagall. "You are slightly mistaken, Hermione." She made a point of looking scandalized. Laughing, she said, "Actually, it is a small but important distinction. As far as I know, they can not enter the castle at all. They can't enter the grounds without assistance. They can, however, walk on the grounds once they have entered. Perhaps Albus would know a way for them to enter the castle itself."
"That would help a bit," said Harry. "As long as the weather holds out, both of them have an outdoor activity or two that they enjoy. My uncle enjoys fishing and golf and my aunt is a gardener. She might even enjoy planting some flowers around the grounds, if that is OK with you, Headmistress."
"As long as she doesn't start plowing up the lawns," said Minerva, "I see no problem. You have my permission for fishing and gardening on the grounds although I would recommend that your uncle confine himself to the mountain streams leading into the lake. The lake itself is perhaps too dangerous for a muggle. I'm afraid Hogwarts lacks a golf course."
"Thank you, Minerva," said Harry. "I'll talk to them tonight. I have been putting off seeing them until I had something to say."
Minerva excused herself and walked over to the statue. She was standing near where Ron had apparated from and popped off to the Head's Suite.
"Are you sure you want to do this now?" asked Hermione. She was more than willing to put it off for a few more months.
"They haven't heard anything for over two days," said Harry. "We're only bringing good news so I think it will be OK." He didn't look all that convinced but it was true enough.
Hermione reached out her hand and took his. With a smile, he apparated them to the sitting room of the flat Harry had assigned them. It was a three bedroom with a large kitchen. Harry thought the more room, the better, considering how things had ended up during their last meeting.
Harry had been in this room only once before. It was during the final stages of construction when he picked it as his relatives next home. The transformation was astounding. The bare rooms and walls had been furnished tastefully. Given the physical specifications of his uncle, Dobby had bought completely appropriate furniture. Large, overstuffed chairs were in abundance with a huge, welcoming couch dominating this room. Pictures of Scottish landscapes were on the walls. Several wall sconces held sufficient candles that, with the help of the fireplace, served to light the room. It was the window, though, that caught your attention. The large magical bay window looked out over Loch Katrine. The rugged hills on either side were barely visible in the twilight. The waning moon was still enough to light the ripples on it's surface.
Uncle Vernon sat sleeping in a chair turned to look out. In his hand was the travel guide Harry had bought that showed other scenes of Scotland. He did not hear the pop when they arrived. Aunt Petunia, however, did. She did not recognize the source, though and merely came in to investigate.
"Oh, my," she said, covering her mouth with her gloved hand. Harry noted that it was not a rubber glove that would have been normal at this time of night on Privet Drive. Instead it was a gardener's glove of thick cloth. At first, she didn't really know what to do, but noticing her sleeping husband in the chair, motioned for them to follow her to another room. They did so.
"I'm glad you finally came," she said in a slightly hushed voice. "When we got here, Vernon was in a rage but that Winky had his number and he calmed down. I tried to explain what was going on one more time and I think he finally had to listen. Of course he started up again when he realized that there isn't a door out of this house." She didn't sound like it was pleasant. "Winky was here, though. She showed me how to use the kitchen without gas or electricity. After a while, that other one, Dobby or something?" She looked for confirmation but didn't stop. "Anyway, he showed up and said that someone had been kidnaped. I remembered that you said that your wife was the one they wanted but Dobby said another name. I didn't quite get it, he was talking so fast. He left after a while and nothing happened for a long time. Around this time of night, Winky jumped up and shouted "Dobby!" and vanished. No one came by again until Winky dropped off some magazines for Vernon and some plants for me around noon. I asked her what had happened and she just muttered something about keeping secrets and off she goes again. What has happened?"
Harry looked at Hermione with resignation. This was not going to be the short meeting he had wanted. Still, he saw it from his aunt's point of view and realized how little she knew of current events.
"Well," he began, "everything we discussed went as planned. We faked your deaths perfectly. I was notified through official channels and acted surprised and all that. We expected the traitor at the school to try to stop Hermione from coming with me to Privet Drive. That was the first sign we failed to notice. No one tried anything. We made it to your house through the normal methods and still nothing. Our mistake was in thinking Hermione was the "she" they wanted. It turned out that they thought that Headmistress McGonagall was the leader of our group and they grabbed her when I was gone. Ron and the others assigned to the school still caught or killed nine of the ten kidnapers they sent but they had her. That was around two o'clock. We had no idea where she was but eventually found an elf that could sort of track her. Hermione, Ron and I along with Dobby and two other elves, rode towards her on brooms until we found her. Dobby and I went in to get her but Voldemort and one of his most powerful Death Eaters were there. Dobby fought Voldemort while I fought Bellatrix Lestrange and tried to rescue Minerva. Dobby was hit but I was able to kill Bellatrix. Fortunately, Voldemort chose to just escape and I took them both to our school hospital. That must have been when Winky left. Dobby was dying and she was his wife." Harry had to pause here. It was still a painful memory.
"Winky's husband is dead?" asked Petunia. She seemed shaken by the news.
"Yes," said Hermione. She continued on for Harry. "His funeral was yesterday morning. That's why Winky wasn't around. Our headmistress was also dying. Harry took her and the school nurse to the main hospital in London. They had to amputate her foot and all sorts of other things but she was too far gone for them to save. We heard that she was dying when we returned from Dobby's funeral."
"Minerva didn't die, though," said Harry. "It would take a very long time to explain why. The details aren't important, anyway, right now, but she is back at Hogwarts and well."
"The bad news is she was tortured into revealing that you aren't really dead," said Hermione. "She had no choice in telling this to Voldemort but it means that you will be at least some sort of a target until he is destroyed."
"So they will still try to kill us?" asked Petunia in panic.
"Not actively," said Harry, trying to put a nice face on a bad situation. "If you are recognized, they might consider killing you just for punishment. You aren't a threat to them so I doubt they will put any effort in the job but if they see you, they might try something."
Petunia calmed down a little. "That's pretty much where we are now, I guess. Are we ever going to be able to get out of here?"
"Actually," said Harry, "I have some good news about that. I was speaking to Headmistress McGonagall just a few minutes ago about this very problem. She said that you should be able to do gardening around the castle, at least while the weather holds up and Uncle Vernon should be able to do some fishing in the streams around here. Golfing might be a little harder but he could probably hit the balls around, if he wanted to. The only problem would be if you left the school grounds, you would need help getting back in. I think we can work something out with that."
Petunia seem to be heartened by the news that they would be able to get outside once in a while. "Will we be able to get a door, then?" she asked. No matter the view or amenities of the flat, it was still too much like a prison.
"A door wouldn't help that much," said Hermione. "This flat is a thousand feet or so underground in a cave. Magic is the only way in or out."
Petunia looked confused and then seemed to get a clue. Smiling, she said, "That's why all the views are so different. They aren't really windows, are they?"
"Not really," agreed Harry. "The Ministry of Magic has some like these and I thought it would make the flats easier to live in. We built them for people like you who needed a place to hide and be safe. So far, you are the only ones using it for that purpose. You have a neighbor named Martha who is running part of our office for us. She lives on the ground floor."
"When can we go outside?" asked Petunia. She had been cooped up long enough.
"Tomorrow morning, I guess," said Harry. "Ron and I are planning on training some elves for combat so I don't see why you can't come along and look around a little. Then, you can give Winky a list of seeds or whatever that you want to plant."
"If we are in Scotland, it might be too late for that," said Petunia. "You'd need a greenhouse or something to grow anything from seeds."
"Maybe Professor Sprout would have a corner of one of the greenhouses that you could use," suggested Hermione. She thought it would be a possibility.
"Greenhouses?" asked Petunia. "How many greenhouses do you have at your school?" She was losing her hatred of all things magical by finding common ground.
"Four large ones," said Hermione, "and two or three small ones for special plants. Maybe it is Professor Sprout that you should be discussing this with. I'll be seeing her tomorrow in class and arrange an appointment." She made a note for herself in her planner.
"Oh, that would be wonderful," said Petunia, excitedly. "I've always wanted to work in a real greenhouse. Gardening is something that I'm good at."
"It sounds like you'll be covered," said Harry. "How long will Uncle Vernon be satisfied with fishing?" He had never had the opportunity to fish himself but it didn't really sound like that much fun, anyway.
"I don't really know," said Petunia. "He isn't really the patient type. If the fish are biting, he's happy enough, though. He might work off his energy better by hitting a golf ball around, like you suggested."
"There's little enough point to golf as there is," said Hermione. "If you don't even have a little hole to aim for, it would be a total waste of time."
"I suppose that he could take an elf and go on day trips if we could find a golf course," said Harry. "Do you think there are any around here?"
"Harry," said Hermione, "this is Scotland."
"So?" asked Harry, totally clueless about local history and customs.
"Golf was invented here," replied Hermione. "He could play some of the most famous courses in the world."
"Sounds like fun," said Harry. "He'll probably need some new equipment, I suppose. I'll ask one of the elves to go as his bodyguard. Do you remember any of those muggle illusion charms that we used at our wedding?" They had charmed Dobby and Winky to look like small caterers so the muggles wouldn't be alarmed.
"Yes, I do," said Hermione. She hadn't forgotten a spell in her life. "Let's see if he even wants to play, first."
"Oh, I think he'll want to play," said Petunia, grinning. "He used to love the game when we were first married. Played every weekend with his friends." She smiled, remembering the happy first few years of their marriage.
"Well, it sounds like we have everything under control, then," said Harry. "When Uncle Vernon wakes up, let him know that Ron and I'll be by around nine o'clock to pick the two of you up, weather permitting. Remember, though. If you leave the grounds, you won't be able to get back without help."
"We'll be ready," said Petunia, warmly. She wasn't too bad when Vernon wasn't blustering around.
Harry and Hermione made their farewells and apparated back to their suite.
Around 10 o'clock, Winky arrived. "Good evening Master and Mistress Potter," she said.
"Good evening, Winky," replied Hermione. "How are you feeling tonight?"
"Winky is being happy that Winky is following Master's orders and finding a house elf to be replacing Dobby for Master." said Winky.
"Potter!" shouted Hermione. "What do you think you are doing, asking Winky to find another house elf?" She wasn't happy.
"There is too much work for Winky alone," said Harry, quickly. "We need someone to help her. I just asked her to find someone she thought would work out."
"Winky is doing just that, Master," said the elf, excitedly. "Winky is talking with Winky's sister, Dinky and we is thinking that Dinky's daughter, Slinky is being old enough to have her own master, Master." She looked so excited it calmed Hermione down. To an elf, getting your first master was like coming of age. "Is Mistress and Master wishing to meet Slinky?" she asked.
"Now?" asked Hermione. She was just about ready to head off to bed.
"Yes, Mistress," said Winky, misinterpreting the inflection, and popped away.
"Wait," shouted Hermione in frustration.
Harry decided that it was as good a time as any for some teasing. "A minute ago you were upset at the thought of getting another elf and now you can't wait?" he asked. "Sometimes I don't think you're as focused on this spew thing as you used to be." He smirked as she stuck her tongue out at him.
"It isn't spew," she corrected. "It's S.P.E.W. The, uh...School. No. Now I've forgotten." She was flustered at the entire exchange and Harry's laughter wasn't helping. She had no doubt that Ron would join in on the teasing in the morning. Fortunately, Winky returned to save her. She had what appeared to be a very young female elf with her.
"Master and Mistress Potter," she said, "this is being Winky's sister Dinky's daughter Slinky."
"Try saying that three times fast," said Harry to Hermione, under his breath.
"We're very pleased to meet you, Slinky," said Hermione, frowning at Harry.
"Slinky is being pleased to meet Aunt Winky's Master and Mistress Potter," replied Slinky, politely.
"Slinky is being taught to be a good elf by Dinky," said Winky. "Dinky's master isn't needing another house elf but Master is saying he is needing one. Is Master and Mistress wishing to be seeing Dinky's master?"
This was getting hard to follow. Hermione asked, "Winky, Slinky seems to be pretty young, yet. Are you sure she is ready to take over the care of a house as large as ours?"
"Slinky is being young but Dinky is being teaching her how to be a good house elf since she was much younger, Mistress," replied Winky. "Winky is also having some time to help Slinky if she is needing it."
"Hermione," said Harry. "I think that if we are going to get another house elf, that a family member of Winky's would be ideal. We already know that Winky will be able to help her out for awhile, until she learns the ropes. I can think of a lot worse ways for a young house elf to start their career. I think we should give Slinky a chance."
Both Winky and Slinky simultaneously put their hands to their cheeks in joy and then looked at Hermione for her reply. She looked at them both and threw her hands in the air in defeat. "OK," she sighed, "I give up. Winky, please make arrangements for us to meet with Slinky's master the first evening he is available."
"Winky is being doing this when Dinky's master is next being awake, Mistress," said Winky. "Master and Mistress is not being sorry. Slinky will be a good house elf."
"I'm sure she will be, "replied Harry. "She will be trained by an excellent house elf so I have no worries at all. Good night, Winky. Good night, Slinky.
Winky and Slinky both beamed at him before popping away. Despite himself, Harry was glad that their two elves would still be related. It would also be good for Winky; having someone to look after.
"Slinky seems so young, "said Hermione. Despite Winky's assurances, she wasn't sure the young elf was up to Grimmauld Place.
"Winky will help her when she needs to," reassured Harry. "Now, I want to do something that has been delayed for long enough."
"What's that, Dear?" asked Hermione, questioningly.
"We need to break in your birthday present."
September 24th, 1997
By seven o'clock the next morning, Phase One of the Slotted Nightgown Testing Project was complete. It was declared a success by both parties and they decided to move on to Phase Two that evening. Without a specific task or visit scheduled, Hermione was preparing for her normal classes. Ron and Harry only had Defense Against the Dark Arts that afternoon so they had some free time. Sitting in their office at their now usual pre-breakfast chat, Ron and Harry knew, of course, that they had already committed to meeting the Hogwarts Free Elves for a little initial training as an offensive force. Harry had already decided to spend quite a bit of the first meeting discussing how it was just practice. They had to do everything as if it was real combat except kill the opposing force. That was an important point he wanted them to remember. He knew what they were capable of and didn't want to waste any of it on needless injuries. He then had another thought that bubbled up from time to time.
"Ron," asked Harry, "what would you say was Voldemort's long term goal?"
Ron said, "To take over, of course." It was the automatic response that you would expect from a pureblood raised under the shadow of Lord Voldemort.
Harry nodded but then added, "What does that mean, exactly? Does he want total control of everyone's lives? Is it to be respected out of fear by anyone he sees? What would he consider to be his definition of winning?"
Ron looked confused. "I guess I'm not sure what you want to know, mate," he said. Then, thinking a little further, he added, "I don't know if I've ever given it much thought. What would you do if you were in charge of everything? Probably be bored silly."
"My point exactly," said Harry. "I was trying to think of why Voldemort would want to have his Death Eaters waste their time checking all these different places. Beyond that, why waste his time making sure they do it at different locations and with different partners. That's a lot of work. That got me thinking about the whole taking over the world thing. Why does he want it?"
"An interesting question, Harry," said Grampa. He knew the regular schedule of both Minerva and Harry and tried to listen in on both when he had the chance. "The normal answer, appropriate for normal megalomaniacs like Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, Napoleon and Hitler, was to leave their mark on history. In a nutshell, to be remembered. You see, everyone eventually realizes that their time is fleeting and that after they're gone, few will remember them. After those few are also gone, no one will ever know they existed. This has driven some to do great works. It might be in art, poetry, literature, invention and the like so at least their name will live on. Da Vinci was perhaps the most gifted of all in these endeavors. Those less talented have gone to the depths of inhumanity to cause such a shock that they will also be remembered. This is often attributed to some sort of insanity but the purpose is the same. Perhaps the most notable recent adherent to this practice was Jack the Ripper. It has been a hundred years since he terrorized London but he is also still remembered."
"But Voldemort has that already," said Harry. "People will not forget him for a very long time." Thinking further, he continued, "He also has the death thing figured out. If we can't find those last horcruxes, he will live forever. He can have it all."
"That is correct, Harry," replied Grampa. "If the prophecy is to be believed and you are the only one who has a chance to destroy him, his best plan might be to take a villa in the south of France and wait you out. A couple hundred years from now, he could start over and you would be long gone."
"Voldemort doesn't strike me as the patient type," said Ron.
"Actually, he is," said Harry. "He had to wait thirteen years to resurrect, he then spent almost a whole year to find out the contents of the prophecy and another year to get his crack at killing Grampa. The lull in activity just after school was another sign of patience while he waited to capture you or Hermione. He is capable of doing just what Grampa suggested, if he wanted to."
"But he isn't," said Grampa, "at least not yet. You are correct to wonder what he is up to, Harry. As for myself, I have no idea."
Ron's shoulders sagged at this comment but Harry was more optimistic. "We've only checked the one place so far," he said. "I think that we will start to see similarities as we do some more. Which one did we earmark for the next trip?"
"That lighthouse by Newcastle," said Ron. "Just a second." He got up and opened the door to the map room. "What's the name of that lighthouse you've been keeping an eye on?" he asked the room in general.
Several elves stood up but they glanced among themselves before one remained standing and said, "The name of the Lighthouse we is being watching is Souter Lighthouse, Master Ron."
"Thanks," said Ron and returned to his chair. "Souter Lighthouse," he said, triumphantly.
"That's right," said Harry, remembering now. "It should be visited by Death Eaters in a day or so. We go in the day after. Maybe we'll take the tour if there is one. We might learn something useful."
"It's a lighthouse, Harry," said Ron. I agree that it might have some interesting or useful points but I doubt it is where Voldemort would try to hide anything. I mean, it's a huge red and white striped tower with a huge light on top. Not exactly indiscreet, is it?"
"Hermione thought that it would be a very clever place to hide something," countered Harry. "Use a place that you couldn't miss with your eyes shut. Personally, I agree with you. About all I'm hoping for is to get a clue on why Voldemort is sending his men to watch it."
On this note, they left for breakfast.
It was a fine morning and Harry was in a good mood. For the first time since the kidnaping of Minerva, they had a fairly relaxed day ahead of them. Harry and Ron both liked Defense with Professor Coldiron. He tended towards the practical side of things. They also were looking forward to the first meeting with the Hogwarts Free Elves. If the truth were known, Harry had never liked the restrictions on the elf commando teams in the first place. They were basically good for support and cover. Now that he had some actually battle able elves, he was almost looking for a fight. If Dobby's abilities against Voldemort were any indication, ten elves against fifty Death Eaters would be a blood bath.
"Good morning, Honey," said Ron as she joined them for breakfast. After kissing her he added, "It looks like it will be a beautiful day. Any free class periods, today?" He wanted to get in some time by the lake before winter hit.
"I'm free for an hour after lunch," she said, a bit embarrassed about arranging a snogging session in full view and hearing of a dozen students.
"Bugger," said Ron. "We have Defense, then. Maybe later this afternoon, if it's still nice."
"Sounds lovely," agreed Honey and she reached for some toast and coffee.
"That reminds me," said Ginny. "How are the new nighties working out?" She casually continued with her bacon as if merely asking about a homework assignment.
Harry was about to comment on Ginny's new hobby of making embarrassing comments during breakfast when Hermione topped her.
"They are fantastic," she said, enthusiastically, although mercifully for Harry's sake, quietly. "I stayed warm as toast all night and Harry was still able to..."
"Hermione!" said Harry in a loud stage whisper. "Don't encourage her." He couldn't believe what was transpiring as he felt the blood rush to his face.
Ginny laughed. "Don't be that way, Harry," she said. "Some of us are just checking for when the opportunity arises." Now Neville turned red. Ginny noticed and said, "I meant when we are all married, like Harry and Hermione. I certainly don't think any of the rest of us will need that sort of equipment for quite a while." She looked at Ron and said, "Present company accepted, of course." This had the immediate effect of causing both Ron and Honey to join Neville and Harry.
"What sort of family am I getting involved with?" sighed Honey, finally smiling, in spite of herself. She was starting to feel a little more at ease after realizing that everyone was fair game in this group and she could get her shots in later.
"I would think," said Luna, "that you would already know, considering Ron and Ginny are the sixth and seventh Weasley children." She had become far more outgoing since effectively leaving the logically minded Ravenclaws for the fearless Gryffindores.
"I guess that was a clue," agreed Honey. "I wonder why they stopped at seven?"
"They finally got it right," said Ginny, the first girl born a Weasley for quite some time.
"Or they realized they had enough for a quidditch team already," said Harry. "Your family would do pretty well. Except Percy. Ron, didn't you say Percy never played?"
"He played at home but he didn't make the team," corrected Ron. "I think he might have made a fair chaser, though. Pretty good on accelerations and turns."
"If you are going to talk quidditch," said Hermione, "I'm going to go to the library." She started to collect her things.
"Don't leave, Hermione," said Dougal, "We can go back to discussing your sex life, if you want." He had been an observer for long enough, it seemed.
"We were talking about my nightgowns," said Hermione. "It was Ron and Honey's sex life that was the last topic, if you'll recall."
"We have to go, too," said Harry, indicating Ron. "We have to meet some elves for commando practice."
"You'd better work on your excuses, Harry," said Neville. "No one will believe that one."
Harry, Ron, Neville and Dougal kissed Hermione, Honey, Ginny and Luna goodbye respectively and everyone headed off for their first class or other activity.
Being just after breakfast, Harry knew that the elves would be busy for a while cleaning up. Harry and Ron went down to the Fortress to see if any early rising Death Eaters were about. For the most part, sleeping in was a prevalent characteristic of Voldemort's supporters. Harry arranged with Ron to meet at ten o'clock behind the quidditch stadium for elf practice. This would allow for some privacy with plenty of room to maneuver.
"So what sort of training do you want to start with?" asked Ron. He was of the opinion that most elves could already handle themselves pretty well.
"I think we need to concentrate the most on getting them to act quickly," replied Harry. "They are conditioned to give out warnings before using their power. We need to get them to stop doing that."
"Shoot first and ask questions later?" asked Ron. "You don't get many answers that way, you know."
"That's the problem," said Harry. "We need to teach them the distinction between too soon and too late."
"Not to mention too much and too little," agreed Ron. "I'll try to come up with a few ideas while you take care of the muggles."
"OK, Ron," replied Harry. He stood up and made the short jump to his relatives' flat.
He appeared in the sitting room as before. This time, however, both Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were waiting for him.
"Good morning," he said, as they were busy jumping with alarm at his entrance. "It's a very nice day out. Are you both ready?"
"What exactly are we supposed to be ready for?" asked Uncle Vernon. He didn't look particularly malevolent so Harry went with a direct answer.
"As you know," began Harry, "you were brought here because Voldemort, he's the most evil wizard in a century or so, wanted to kill you. We faked your deaths but he captured and tortured the headmistress of this school. She revealed that you were not dead."
"So now this Voldy whatzit is going to keep trying to kill us?" asked Uncle Vernon in alarm.
"Probably not," said Harry, reassuringly. "As I mentioned to Aunt Petunia, if you were seen, they might still kill you. You don't have much to do with their plans, as far as we can tell, so I doubt that you will be hunted. Voldemort doesn't have so many followers left that he can have them doing errands like that without some sort of purpose."
"But we can't go where we would be expected," said Aunt Petunia, summing up, "like back home."
"No," said Harry. "I would expect that they will keep an eye out there. It is an obvious and easy location to check. Scouring the country for you would be completely different and is unlikely."
"So how long will we be here?" asked Uncle Vernon. Apparently, Petunia had helped him to realize that they had better be on Harry's good side, at least for now.
"Until I win," said Harry. "I am working hard on it all the time. In a nutshell, Voldemort has to be killed a piece at a time. We have destroyed two pieces. A third is in our possession with four parts to go. Only then will he be dead."
"I won't even ask what the bloody hell you're talking about," sputtered Uncle Vernon. "Your aunt said something about getting out of this place. What about that?"
"Let's do that now," said Harry, "and I'll explain what we can and can't do. Please take one arm each." He held out his arms.
Aunt Petunia hesitantly grabbed him by the hand but Uncle Vernon was a little leery. "What's going to happen?" he asked.
"I'll take you outside," said Harry. "As you noticed, there is no door. By the way, don't let go."
Uncle Vernon was still pretty unhappy but Harry had hit the nail on the head. This was the only way out. Finally, he grabbed Harry by the forearm. Instantly, Harry apparated them to the beech tree by the lake. They were unlikely to be seen from the castle unless someone was looking directly at them at the time.
This was only the second time that either Uncle Vernon or Aunt Petunia had been side-along apparated and the first time by a wizard. Naturally, they were a little disoriented at being one place, one second and then another place, the next. Harry released Aunt Petunia's hand and after a moment, Uncle Vernon let go of his arm.
Harry decided to start with Uncle Vernon. "This lake has a few good sized streams feeding into it. Aunt Petunia says you sort of like to fish so I would recommend sticking to the streams. The lake itself can be a bit dangerous. There are mer people at the bottom and a giant squid. Both are fairly safe but that might change if they had a hook caught in their lips."
Uncle Vernon didn't look like fishing was as much fun as he had thought and said, "I believe that golf was also mentioned." He could handle a little ball if he had a steel stick to defend himself.
"We are looking into that," said Harry. "There is an outside chance of being seen but I don't think that many Death Eaters hang out at golf clubs. We'll need to get some clubs for you until we can arrange for your own to be brought here. It might take a day or so to arrange. We also want to have an elf accompany you so that you would be safe; just in case."
"Don't you think one of those elf thingies would be a little obvious?" asked Uncle Vernon, returning a bit to his normal, arrogant self.
"We have spells to make them appear as we want to muggles," said Harry, remaining calm. "We had two of them that looked like caterers at our wedding."
"Harry's wife is very nice, Vernon," said Petunia. Harry was right; she was the brains of the family. She knew that if anyone could get them kicked out of their safe, fairly nice, temporary home, it was Vernon.
Uncle Vernon didn't get the hint but did change the subject. "Why did you bother?" he asked. "Don't all of your kind know about those elf things?"
"Uncle Vernon," said Harry, a little menacingly, "they are called elves or house elves, if you want to be completely proper. They are people like you and me and are not things. You'll pardon my frankness but one of them, a great friend, died during the operation that brought you here. His wife is Winky and despite losing Dobby, she is still taking very good care of you and Aunt Petunia. After I am finished getting the two of you settled, I will be meeting some more elves. They are volunteers who will be helping me fight Voldemort. They are also extremely powerful, as you found out with Winky. Just because they seem subservient, do not mistake them as less worthy of respect than you. As to why we disguised them at our wedding; Hermione is what we call muggle born. She is the only member of her family who is magical. Only her parents know she is a witch so we had to make arrangements for the rest of her family that could make it."
Uncle Vernon showed a moment of sanity and decided to say nothing. Harry then turned his attention to Petunia. "Aunt Petunia," he said, "Hermione will be speaking to Professor Sprout today and making an appointment for you to talk to her about using some greenhouse space this winter, if you are still here. In the meantime, you might enjoy just examining some of the plants and flowers already on the grounds. Headmistress McGonagall has given permission for both of you to have full access to the grounds and to engage in your leisure activities. These are assumed to be fishing and gardening with outside trips for golf, if possible. We are also going to be checking on ways for you to enter the castle itself, although that might not be possible. Tell me, are you able to see the castle?" He pointed at the school.
Both Vernon and Petunia looked towards the direction Harry pointed. "It looks like you could use a new maintenance department, if you ask me," said Uncle Vernon.
Aunt Petunia understood the question and simply said, "All we see are some old ruins. What does it really look like?"
Harry understood her curiosity. She was in a place that wanted to remain a secret to her. It was the next best thing to being blind. In some ways, it was worse; she didn't know if she could believe what she was seeing. Harry had already told them that muggles could be tricked. It must be very unnerving.
"It's beautiful," he said. He tried to inject a little Fawkes into his speech so they would look forward to the day they could see Hogwarts. "There are several towers, just like any castle. The two biggest are Ravenclaw and Gryffindor Towers. They are used mostly for dormitories. The tallest one is the astronomy tower and the other big one is North Tower." He was pointing at each as he spoke. Uncle Vernon saw nothing but the broken bases of long toppled ruins but Aunt Petunia could see an image taking form in her mind. "The entrance is a little hard to see from here but the Great Hall is just huge. It's nestled right in the middle, there. The walls of the courtyard connect the towers. The greenhouses are around back," he added to Petunia. "They are outside of the walls so maybe you can see them. Just a second." He looked around and moved a few feet over.
"Can you see that cottage over there?" he asked, pointing at Hagrid's hut. They came over to his vantage point.
"A small hut with what appears to be huge pumpkins behind?" asked Aunt Petunia. "Yes, it seems to be real."
"That's good," said Harry. "Chances are that everything outside of the walls are visible. That's Hagrid's house. You probably remember him. Large chap about ten feet high with a heck of a knock. Oh, that reminds me," he said, facing them both. "The fairly open areas around the lake and streams are safe enough but don't go deep into that part of the forest," he said, pointing towards the heart of the Forbidden Forest. "It is very dangerous, even to wizards."
"I suppose there is a giant that would grind our bones to make his bread, eh?" said Uncle Vernon, snidely.
"I don't think he eats bread," said Harry. "He does have quite an appetite, though. His name is Grawp and he is Hagrid's big brother. Hagrid has him pretty well behaved for a giant but I wouldn't want to test him."
Vernon and Petunia were silent. Clearly, they had a lot to learn.
"We should have some answers by the end of the day on the greenhouse and golf questions," he said, wrapping things up. "In the meantime, just look around. The greenhouses are around back. Either left or right around the castle is about the same distance. Classes are in session outside at times so be aware. If you see Hagrid teaching a class, there is probably a very dangerous creature around so stay clear. If you need anything or wish to return to the flat, just call out Winky's name and she will take care of you."
He left them to wander and joined Ron by the pitch.
Ron had set up some sturdy four feet tall poles topped with large cannon balls on springs. Dating the Transfiguration professor apparently had some dividends besides the obvious ones. Each was identified by a large number on the pole. On the left was Number 1 and on the right was Number 10. They were spaced five feet apart.
"I'm guessing target practice, Ron," said Harry as he walked up. It wasn't a difficult choice since that was exactly what Ron was using them for when Harry arrived.
"That and intensity practice," replied Ron. "That's what the springs are for. We can tell if the balls are hit hard or light." He demonstrated on Number 3. The first stunner caused quite a deflection in the spring, almost causing the iron ball to hit the pole. After it settled down, he hit it with another that barely caused a wobble.
"Good idea," said Harry. "We don't want them breaking someone in two if they scratch their nose the wrong way. What about the numbers?"
"Decision practice," answered Ron. "I'll give them a situation and then they have to respond with the right intensity at the proper target. For example, a young Death Eater that hasn't drawn his wand and is unaware of your presence would be a low intensity stunner at Number 1 while Snape shooting curses at you would be a reducto at Number 10. They need to know how to assess the threat level." Clearly, Ron had been thinking about this for a while.
"It looks good, Ron," said Harry, smiling. "Shall we call the commandos?"
Ron smiled like he did every time he heard the elves called by that term. "Let me," he said. Then, in a louder and more impressive voice, he intoned, "I summon the Hogwarts Free Elves."
Within a couple of seconds, they were surrounded by the ten volunteers, all dressed in their red robes. The gold letters shone brightly in the morning sun.
"Good morning, Master Ron. Good morning, Harry Potter," said the elves, not quite in unison.
"Good morning," replied Harry. "This is our first meeting so we will have to play it by ear. Ron has some exercises planned but first I want to find out about you a little more." He summoned all of the dozen dining room chairs he had prepared. He and Ron sat down but the elves were hesitant. "Please," said Harry, politely, "this will take just a few minutes so have a seat." Looking first among themselves and finally resting their eyes on Harry, they complied.
"Thanks," said Harry. "Now, even though you are free, there seem to be a few limitations on how you can deal with wizards. For example, Dobby couldn't apparate with a wizard without their permission. This could be a problem in battle. If a bystander got hurt and needed to go to the hospital, you wouldn't be able to help. Also, a stunned prisoner would be unable to be moved, as well. It that all correct?"
"Yes, Harry Potter," replied Slider. "That is being a wizard law and house elves isn't being able to go against wizard law."
"Then why was Dobby able to attack a wizard," asked Harry, "namely Voldemort? Isn't it against wizard law for an elf to attack a wizard except to defend his house or master?"
"That is being a wizard law," agreed Slider. He was still head elf and would apparently do the talking.
"Then how did Dobby being free get around that law and not the one on apparating?" asked Harry.
"The law is that no house elf is popping a wizard without permission so no elf is being able to do that," explained Slider. "The law is that a house elf is only being able to be defending his master or his master's house. Dobby isn't having a master so the law isn't being for him."
Harry thought he understood. "So what you are saying," he summed up, "is that if a law refers to how an elf can deal with anything to do with his master or his property, that only applies to elves that have masters. Free elves would not be obliged to follow that law. That was why Dobby could help."
"That is being correct, Harry Potter," said Slider.
Harry understood. The elves followed the laws of the wizards faithfully but they could be pretty pedantic about it if they needed to be. A wizard would have taken the same law and inferred that a free elf couldn't attack anyone. The elves interpreted it to mean they could attack everyone, if they so chose.
"Ron," said Harry. "I think we need to see the Minister, again. Maybe we can have a law passed quietly that will allow the free elves to do some useful things like apparate wizards without permission."
"It's worth a shot," agreed Ron. "I think that we should have Hermione research the other laws on elves, as well. Maybe there's other things that could be changed."
"I agree," said Harry. "Until then, let's get on with practice." He stood up and the elves followed his example. Harry sent the chairs back to Grimmauld place and stood between the elves and Ron's targets.
"Let's begin our training," said Harry. "In a minute, Ron will take over. Before that, I wish to point out a few things. It involves priorities. I want to make sure that we are all on the same page with this. The first priority is the downfall of Voldemort. That is our reason for doing everything we do. Some of us may lose our lives in the pursuit of this. As soldiers in this war, we must accept this. However, we also must do everything in our power to prevent that when we are able. For the time being, Voldemort cannot die, so we will always try our best to keep ourselves safe. This concerns the next priority. We need to get as much information out of as many Death Eaters as we can. That is what the maps are for and why we have so many cells. We will need to constantly get more so our information is up to date. For this reason, I wish to take as many of them alive as we can. Again, our own lives are more important than any Death Eater. If we have to, we must kill them before they kill us. Of course, on an individual level, this would be a last resort. In the case of a large battle, however, we must do what we have to in order to get the rest to surrender. Simply stunning them will do no good if there are plenty of their friends around to enervate them. The first attacks on a large group will have to involve killing some of them. When the time comes, will you be able to do this?"
The elves were silent. Slider was apparently in deep thought at this question and the others were waiting for his response. Finally, he said, "Harry Potter. We is not choosing to kill any wizards but we is following orders. If Harry Potter says we must kill wizards in a battle, we will kill wizards but we is not choosing to do this." In other words, they would kill for him but he would take the blame.
"I understand, Slider," said Harry. "I will only make that order when absolutely necessary. I do want you to know this; if you find yourself in a situation where it is your life or a Death Eater's, I want you to save yourself. No Death Eater is worth an elf's life."
"We understand, Harry Potter," said Slider, solemnly.
Training went pretty well for a first day. While it was true that the elves had power to spare, they hadn't exactly been spending their days practicing. Subtlety seemed to be the hardest concept to learn. When an elf was forced to defend their master or house, it would be with both barrels. After three of the cannon balls were sent flying with the remains of their springs bouncing behind them, Ron had devoted the rest of the day on toning down the intensity. Eventually, the elves were able to hit the balls lightly enough to just get them to deflect about a foot. Harry determined with the help of a few stunners of his own at the balls that this would be a moderate stun level. It would do. At least they would have some prisoners. He thought to himself that if the Death Eaters could see the elves hitting the iron cannon balls with the thick steel springs and knocking them off their posts, they might have second thoughts about tangling with this group. Voldemort himself had enough experience with just one to not want to see another.
At eleven o'clock, they broke for the day with the understanding that their assumption was correct and that the times most suitable for the elves were anytime more than an hour before or after a scheduled meal. This meant that this morning's session from ten to eleven just fit in between breakfast and lunch but the afternoon would be good from one until five. Slider and the rest went to help with lunch while Harry and Ron went back to the Fortress.
"Well?" asked Harry, after they sat down. "What do you think?"
Ron gave a sort of half grin and said, "I don't think I want to have any live exercises until I'm sure they won't give a full power stunner when they get excited. I have this vision of my head bouncing down the hill and it disturbs me."
"I'm with you there, mate," agreed Harry. "They also need to work on accuracy. With the kind of situations they are used to, close counted. We want a lighter and more accurate touch. In a pinch, though, I'd be glad they were with us."
"Me, too," said Ron. "So we're training with elves and checking out some of Voldemort's favorite tourist sites. What else is on the agenda?" He looked into the elf control center and didn't see anything that looked like unusual activity.
"Well, I want Hermione to check on as many elf laws as she can before we talk to the Minister," said Harry. "I think that we, and by we, I mean you, should be thinking about what Voldemort will be doing next."
"I have been thinking about that," said Ron. "If I were Voldemort, I would be examining my last few stunning defeats. He already knows about your apparating and being a dragon. He is probably starting to suspect that we can track the Death Eaters. Hermione and the Burrow would tend to have him look at it as a possibility but the train was a giveaway. You reacted way too fast. Also, Shacklebolt has been more effective than normal since we gave him those maps and the demonstration at the Ministry would also be a tip-off. He knows that Nott was captured immediately. I doubt that any new recruits will have the marks. What he plans to do to the old team, I don't want to guess at."
"I don't know if he will completely abandon the dark mark," said Harry. "It is a form of control, as well as a form of identification. Maybe he'll come up with another way to mark his men."
"That's very likely, I'm afraid," agreed Ron. "He will also be looking to get new allies and recover old ones. When you talk to the Minister, you might want to mention the likelihood of an attack on Azkaban. Maybe we should get a map for there, too." He made a note for himself on a piece of parchment.
"Azkaban," repeated Harry. "That brings up another mystery. Not that I miss them, but why hasn't he used the dementors? They left Azkaban over a year ago. Why aren't they more active?"
"I asked Dad about that over the summer," replied Ron. "No one seems to know. They were breeding for a while a year ago last summer, but besides the bad feeling when they are near, there haven't been many attacks."
"I'm not complaining," said Harry. "About all I can do against them is chase them away."
"Better than nothing," said Ron, who would have trouble with dealing with one dementor.
"Let's see," said Harry. "There was a giant attack a while ago but not too much since then. He had quite a few trolls at Hogsmead. What else does he have?"
"Inferi, vampires and who knows what else," said Ron. "So why have we only seen wizards, lately?"
"I don't know. We need someone from his inner circle," said Harry. "Snape or even Wormtail, I suppose. I should have grabbed him when I had the chance." Their last adventure had been such a debacle that Harry wished he had never noticed Halsfer in the window.
"I don't see Snapes name on the daily reports very often," said Ron. "I think Wormtail would be a possibility, though." He got up and went to the map room door. "Martha? Can we have a second?" He waited by the door.
"Sure, Ron," replied Martha. She got up from the table where she was working on the morning report and walked into the main office.
"Hi, Harry," she said, smiling at Harry.
"Hi, Martha," replied Harry. "We were wondering if you've seen Severus Snape or Peter Pettigrew come up on the maps lately."
"Snape has only been in range once or twice, as far as I remember," she said. "Pettigrew hits the occasional Knockturn Alley bar once in a while. Maybe once every week or so."
"Please put them both on the urgent list," said Ron. "We want to know immediately when one of them shows up." He looked at Harry. "Any other names we know about?'
"Anyone named Lestrange," said Harry, thinking. "Grampa," he called into the empty portrait. After a few seconds, Grampa came into the frame.
"Yes, Harry," he said. "What can I do for you?" He was stretching as if he woke from a nap.
"Those Death Eaters that you said were related," Harry said, incompletely. "Up on the astronomy tower. What were their names?"
Grampa had to gather his thoughts and then said, "I believe you are referring to Amycus and Alecto Carrow. A most unsavory pair of siblings, I might add."
"That's the ones," said Harry. Turning back to Martha, he said, "Put them on the list, too. If any of them show up anywhere, we want to know right away. Make sure the late shift elves know that as well, please."
Martha finished writing down the names and went back to inform her crew.
"May I ask why you needed that information, Harry?" asked Grampa. He was starting to wake up and seemed to be interested.
"We want some questions answered and the low level idiots we have don't have any answers," said Harry. "We need someone who talks to Voldemort on a regular basis. Snape or Wormtail would be the best but these others might know something, too."
"Perhaps I might have an idea or two on the questions you want answered," suggested Grampa.
"Sure," said Harry. "Basically, why hasn't Voldemort been using his other allies? A few months of bad feelings from the dementors, one giant attack and trolls used only the once at Hogsmead. Where are the vampires and inferi? Why stop using the giants and trolls. Why is he sticking with his weakest and least successful people?"
"Not to mention all these places he keeps sending everyone," said Ron. "We don't have a clue on why he's doing what he's doing and why he's not doing what we think any idiot would have done."
Grampa thought for a moment and came to a conclusion. "I think I see how to resolve this problem, Harry," he said.
"And that would be...," prompted Harry.
"I think you need a high level Death Eater," he said. He ran out of his portrait, laughing before Harry's wadded up piece of parchment hit it.
"Sometimes I think he's losing his mind," said Ron.
"Sometimes?" asked Harry.
"Sometimes I think and sometimes I'm sure," said Ron with a smirk. "I guess we already had the answer, though. Now we wait."
"No," said Harry, "Now we get a hold of Tonks and we all learn Occlumency. I don't want to have the same problem as last time when I meet Snape or any of the other top shelf Death Eaters." Tonks and Lupin had returned to Grimmauld Place for a while to catch up with the activities of the Order of the Phoenix. They were planning on coming back for the weekend, but Harry wanted to spend some of their down time working on protecting their minds from probing and attack.
"It's almost lunch time," noted Ron. "Are you going to go now or wait until after class?" Coldiron's classes were good training and generally enjoyable.
"I wasn't planning on going at all," said Harry. "Winky."
"Yes, Master," said Winky, after a short delay.
"Please inform Tonks that the three of us would like to start occlumency lessons tomorrow afternoon, around four o'clock and ask her to return here at that time," said Harry.
"Yes, Master," replied Winky and she left them alone, again.
"I wish I had an elf," said Ron, as he and Harry both left for lunch.
Author's note: Sorry about the time between chapters. Also, this one is more involved in preparing them for the next phase than anything else, but we want them prepared, right? Thanks for reading.
Dad