A/N: Characters and world property of JK Rowling. No copyright infringement intended.
Beta Love: ambiguousgoldfish, the best beta in the world
Of Blacks and Boarhounds
By Zorak23
Chuckling wryly, Mister Ogilvie said, "The gods knew what they were doing when they sent her to Hogwarts."
"That they did."
Chapter Fifty Five
July 7, 1992
Lulabelle was making Harry giggle with some of her more outlandish suggestions on eyewear styles. She'd pulled several off the rack for him to try on, then wandered to the Witches section to try some on herself. When she came back to check on him, she had on a pair of bottle green cat-eye glasses, and Harry dissolved in giggles.
"Aren't there any purple frames?" he asked through his laughter.
"No, and it's such a shame," Lulabelle pouted.
Mister Ogilvie cleared his throat behind them, and said, "That particular style comes with a built-in color change charm. Just hold them in front of whatever color you wish them to be and say 'Allagi Mutata' while pressing this rune." He demonstrated by holding the glasses against his blue robes when Lulabelle handed them to him.
"Brilliant," Harry replied, and Lulabelle immediately tried the charm against her hair, replaced the glasses on her face, and looked at them in the mirror.
"Well if that don't beat all," she said softly. "Almost makes me wish I needed glasses." She turned back to the others. "Y'all got any like that for boys?" she asked.
"N-no… young wizards don't generally…" Mister Ogilvie started to say, then trailed off, not wanting to cause offence.
"That's kind of a girl thing," Harry said. "I wouldn't even remember to change them, to be honest."
Severus curled his lip at the thought, and wisely chose to say nothing. Lulabelle rolled her eyes at all of them, and said to Harry, "Well which ones do ya like, sugar?"
"These look like they'd be harder to break," he said hesitantly, gesturing to a pair of rather square shaped glasses with thick, horn-rimmed frames.
"Ya looked like a dork in those," Lulabelle pointed out helpfully.
"All of our glasses come with unbreakable charms; we have a variety of other protections we can use, as well," Mister Ogilvie said, lip twitching with humor. "Perhaps you would like to try these on," he suggested, handing Harry a pair of thin, wire-rimmed gold frames with round lenses. "I believe this is the style your father chose when he was a boy."
Harry sucked in a breath and looked up at the man. "My dad bought his glasses here?" he asked softly.
"Yes, lad. He was a mite older than you at the time, but he was one of my first patients. Ordered the whole range of protective enchantments; said he needed them for Quidditch."
"He would have been in his third year, then," Severus said. "I recall the Slytherin team being rather put out that they could no longer Summon his glasses off his face during games."
"Lou…" Lulabelle said in disappointment.
Severus shrugged. "I was not on the team."
Harry reverently took the glasses from the healer and slipped them on his face. They were remarkably similar to his old frames; the only differences were that they were slightly thinner, lighter weight, and, of course, Gryffindor gold.
"Whatcha think, sugar?" Lulabelle asked. Harry could only nod. Turning to Mister Ogilvie, she said, "We'll take all the protections ya offer, please, and a second pair with tinted lenses for when the sun's shinin'."
"No need for that, madam. I can spell them to automatically adjust to the out-of-doors as well. Give me half an hour to get them finished, and we'll get you fine people on your way."
"Thank ya so much! We'll just run an errand right quick and then be back to pick 'em up," Lulabelle explained, herding her two companions to the door. "See ya soon!"
Once out in Diagon Alley, she asked, "Okay y'all, let's go find a book bag for Hermione. We forgot last time we were here."
"Shouldn't I be Mister Smith again?" Harry asked worriedly.
"Only if ya want to, sugar. You're stuck with me now," Lulabelle said brightly, and Harry beamed at her. "Now, where to?" she asked.
"Flourish and Blotts has a nice selection," Severus offered.
"The book store? Y'all don't have a bag store or somethin'?" Lulabelle asked, rather surprised.
"One generally keeps books in a book bag," he pointed out dryly.
"Ya brew potions in cauldrons, but there's two different stores for that," she countered. Severus pinched the bridge of his nose.
"There should really be a Wizarding version of Tesco," Harry suggested.
"Or a Walmart," Lulabelle agreed. "I think that's kinda the same thing."
Severus sighed and ushered them down the Alley towards the bookshop, declining to participate further in their conversation about big-box stores and hypermarkets.
Once inside Flourish and Blotts, he directed them towards the section of book bags near the back wall. "Any of these would suit, as they all can be Charmed in any number of ways." He stepped back to let them peruse the selections offered.
Harry picked out a deep red leather bag with brass fittings. The outer pocket was quilted, which Lulabelle assured him was a very nice touch. "It's feminine, but not too girly. She's gonna love it."
After paying for their purchase, they made their way back to Ogilvies Optics and picked up Harry's new glasses. Mister Ogilvie warned that Harry might experience a slight adjustment period whilst getting used to clearer vision.
"Please come back if you have any problems at all, or if your vision changes. I shall put you on the list for our yearly reminders, however, so do expect an owl early next July. And please, give Madam Pomfrey my thanks."
When they stepped through the floo back at Grimmauld Place, Kritter was waiting for Harry with a letter.
"Hedwig bring my young master a letter from his Missy Hermione. Dobby be with Kreacher, Little Miss," she said before Lulabelle could fret.
"I'll just go sit with him a spell," she replied. "Sugar, lemme know what Hermione says. The goblins should be here in an hour or so to wake up Kreacher."
"Alright," Harry replied, then turned away to read his letter so that he didn't have to see her kiss Severus before leaving the room.
"Well? What does she say?" Severus wanted to know. "Are we away to Heathgate this evening?"
"Yeah, er, yes sir. Seven o'clock, if that's alright. How far away is it?"
Severus sighed. "Far enough that we'll have to apparate. Come along, then. Let me show you how to brew an anti-nausea potion. You may observe this time, but it shall still be a learning experience."
Harry rolled his eyes but dutifully followed his professor towards the basement stairs.
It was just past five o'clock when the Elf Healers arrived with their guards. Kritter wasted no time showing them up to the guest bedroom, where Lulabelle was currently sat reading the Black family's book on elf magic. She looked up when she heard a knock on the open door, and smiled when she saw Alkrat waiting to be admitted.
"Come in, come in! Sorry, I didn't realize it was gettin' so late; I'd meant to meet y'all downstairs."
"No need, Lulabelle," Alkrat replied, and offered the tiny witch her forearm in greeting. "I trust you are ready for Kreacher's awakening?"
"Oh yeah," she said with an excited bounce. "I can't wait!"
Renervating the elf was a surprisingly simple procedure. Once completed, Alkrat stepped away from the bed as Kreacher slowly sat up, blinked a few times, and looked around the room.
"Missy Alula is wearing different robes?" he asked, confusion written all over his face.
"Oh, Kreacher," Lulabelle said, crying softly. She carefully sat down next to him, not wanting to jostle the house elf. "You've been asleep for two days now."
Kreacher's eyes widened. "Who has cared for Missy Alula? For young master? For Master Lou?" He was beginning to get upset.
"Kritter and Dobby have done a wonderful job of takin' care of us while ya slept, Kreacher. The only thing we needed was for ya to wake up."
"Kreacher lives to serve the Most Noble House of Black, Missy Alula. Kreacher cannot do that if Kreacher sleeps his days away," he fretted.
"Ya can if it's what I asked ya to do, though, right? I asked ya to let Healer Alkrat fix ya, and she did. Part of that healin' was gettin' lots of rest. You're the best elf in the world, Kreacher. Please don't be mad at me for takin' care of ya," Lulabelle said, tears beginning to fall.
Kreature noticed this, and stood quickly on the bed and Summoned a handkerchief. He used it to wipe his mistress' eyes, and said, "Missy Alula is good mistress to cry over poor Kreacher, but you must stop now. Kreacher is fine."
Lulabelle laughed and pulled him into a tight hug, which he returned for several seconds before trying gently to escape. Alkrat cleared her throat behind them and said, "It may take awhile for his true personality to settle, but physically he is fine. However, I do believe he wants to get away now…"
With another laugh, Lulabelle kissed his cheek and released him. "I'm so glad you're back with us, Kreacher, and that you're feelin' better. I'll send Kritter up to catch ya up on everything that's been goin' on if ya want."
"That is fine, Missy Alula. Kreacher thanks you."
Back downstairs, Alkrat expounded more upon what they should expect with Kreature in the following days. Lulabelle had sent Kritter and Dobby upstairs to discuss the household goings on over the past two days, and she, Severus, and Harry were sat on one side of the kitchen table, listening to Alkrat's report.
Over steaming cups of tea, the goblin said, "Be prepared for Kreacher to have odd reactions to things, especially portraits and familial objects. Old commands may surface, ones that the binding prevented him from carrying out. His reactions to certain behaviors may change, as might certain aspects of his personality. There is no real way of telling just how deeply the binding affected him until he has been out from under it for several weeks. Please make note of any new behaviors and let me know at his next check-up, but do send word immediately if there are any harmful or worrying things that come up."
"We will," Lulabelle said. "We've already talked a lil' about how he might change. We're just gonna love him through it. He's part of the family; has been longer than anyone else."
Alkrat smiled at this strange witch, thinking about how odd her views were. Completely refreshing, but odd nonetheless. "He couldn't ask for a better family, Lulabelle. He's a very lucky elf."
"The family's been pretty shit to him 'til now," she pointed out dryly, and Severus and Harry shared a smirk. "That's over now, though. This is Kreacher's house; Kreacher's family. We're gonna do everything we can to make it up to him."
"He will do well, then. I have no doubt."
"No. Absolutely not. Not just no, hell no, Lou."
"It is too late to decline the invitation, sweet witch, and we don't have time to drive."
"Looouuuu…"
"Harry and I spent over an hour brewing you an anti-nausea potion."
"Good for y'all. Give it to Harry, I'm sure y'all will have a nice time."
"Is it really that bad?" Harry wanted to know, a bit fearful of what was to come.
"I puked everywhere," Lulabelle said vehemently.
Severus pinched the bridge of his long nose. "You had also just had a rather large lunch beforehand. Having an empty stomach, along with the potion, should absolve you of this issue."
"Missy Alula is a proper witch. Missy Alula doesn't need potions to apparate," Kreacher said, having slipped into the sitting room unnoticed.
"Kreacher! You're up!" Lulabelle exclaimed.
"Kreacher knows this," he replied, giving her an odd look. "Why does Missy Alula not wish to apparate?"
"Because it makes me sick," Lulabelle whinged.
Kreacher clucked his tongue at her. "Missy Alula may take Master Lou's potion this one time, then she will be getting her own license. Not make sick anymore."
"Doncha want me to stay home with ya, Kreacher?" Lulabelle asked hopefully. "Ya just woke up—"
"Missy Alula shall not break her engagement for poor Kreacher. What would people say? Blacks not honorable? Kreacher thinks not. You will take Master Lou's potion and go."
"He's got you there," Harry said with a snicker, only to laugh out loud when Lulabelle glared at him.
"Fine. Gimme the damn potion," she said, holding her hand out to Severus.
"You should take it after we—"
"Screw that. I'm takin' it now. I hope ya have one for comin' back, too, or I'm takin' a taxi home."
They landed at the designated apparition point in Heathgate at a quarter to seven, and began walking the two blocks to the Granger's home.
"That wasn't nearly as bad as last time," Lulabelle admitted.
Still rather nauseous himself, Harry said, "Is it supposed to feel like your insides are being pulled out through your navel?"
"Well I woulda said guts and belly button, but yeah, that's pretty accurate," Lulabelle said with a grin. "Least ya didn't puke."
"True. Thank you, sir, for making enough of the potion for me as well."
"Why did Remus and Bill act like they didn't know about it? I mean, they both said Side-Along was rough, but it's really not as bad with the stuff."
Severus squeezed Lulabelle's hand where their fingers were linked together. "It is not generally taken for apparition, sweet witch. And most definitely not prophylactically."
"Why not?" Harry wanted to know.
"I… have no idea," Severus said, having just realized there was indeed a market for such a thing. Before he could expound on the subject, however, they had reached their destination.
"Here's the address, this must be it," Harry said excitedly. He opened the gate to the garden and as soon as they all had walked through, they heard a squeal and watched as a frizzy brown streak shot out of the house and wrapped around Harry.
"Harry! You're here! I can't believe you're actually here!" Hermione shrieked, crushing him in an exuberant hug.
Severus rolled his eyes as Lulabelle giggled at the pair. Harry grunted, not able to take a proper breath, and awkwardly patted her on the back. "Hi," he managed to say, and Hermione released him to swat him on the arm.
"Hi? All I get is 'hi'? Harry James Potter—"
"I couldn't breathe!" Harry laughed. "It's good to see you too, Hermione," he added quickly. "This is Lulabelle Blackburn, and you know Professor Snape," he said, gesturing to the two adults behind him.
"Hello sir, ma'am," Hermione said politely.
"Well that ain't gonna work," Lulabelle said with a smile, and Harry snickered. "Call me Lulabelle, sugar, not ma'am!"
Hermione's eyes widened slightly. "Alright," she said with a hesitant smile. Turning back to Harry she said, "Come in and meet my parents; dinner is almost ready." She grabbed the boy by his hand and started pulling him towards the house. "They can't wait to meet you; I've told them everything about you. Well, not everything everything. They're quite looking forward to meeting you, too, sir," she added with an nervous glance towards Severus. "I feel I should apologise now for anything they might say or ask; they're muggles, you see…"
"I am a half-blood, Miss Granger. I am not totally ignorant of the muggle world," Severus told the girl.
Harry smirked and announced, "You should be worried about what Lulabelle says, instead. She's American," he whispered the last word as if it were something shameful, and Hermione looked scandalized.
"Sugar, ya don't really wanna be startin' that, now do ya? Or did ya forget that I know all your secrets?" Lulabelle drawled, and Severus chuckled at the look on the boy's face. Hermione watched this exchange closely, both awed and rather perplexed.
"Right. Well, come in then," she said, opening the door. "My parents will be in the kitchen; there was a bit of a problem with… well, never mind. Have a seat please, and I'll get them." She led them to a very nice living room with a floral couch, a matching loveseat, and two fluffy armchairs. A television was placed at one end of the room, an upright piano in the other, and a large fireplace was situated along one wall near the center of the long room.
"I wonder who plays?" Lulabelle said once Hermione had rushed off to the kitchen.
"I don't think it's Hermione," Harry replied. "At least, she's never mentioned it."
"Do you play, sweet witch?" Severus asked, noticing her longing look towards the instrument.
"Not really, no," she admitted. "I can read music, and play the right notes, but I can't make it sing like my mama can. I think I try to come at too logically or somethin'. There's not a formula or an equation to music, it's more a feelin'..." she trailed off rather wistfully.
"I told you that was a legitimate problem," Hermione said quietly to her mother as they entered the room, then flushed when she realized their guests had heard her. Lulabelle smiled warmly at her.
"Mama can play just about anything ya sit in front of her, and she only has to hear somethin' once or twice to play it without sheet music, too."
"Dad is the same," the girl replied with a grin. "Let me introduce you. Mum, Dad, this is Professor Snape, Lulabelle Blackburn, and Harry Potter." Turning towards the guests, she added, "And these are my parents, David and Helen Granger."
"Nice to meet you, Mr and Mrs Granger," Harry said, and Lulabelle nudged him.
"Doctors Granger," she corrected.
"I like her," David said to his wife, who shushed him with a grin.
"No dear, we're dentists, not doctors," Helen explained.
"Right. Doctors of dentistry," Lulabelle said, rather befuddled.
Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, and David said, "I really like her."
Helen laughed. "In America, we'd be considered doctors. In England, we are not."
"But y'all still went to dental school?" Lulabelle questioned, and Helen nodded. "And can ya write prescriptions for antibiotics and pain meds and stuff?" Another nod. "Then that's bullshit. Y'all are doctors."
"Helen, can we keep her?" David asked excitedly.
"Daaad," Hermione said, mortified. Harry snickered at the look on his friend's face, and even Severus grinned.
