Disclaimer: The same as the previous chapters.
Chapter 49
Dorsie was a great cook, but apart from that, she was better at reading the witches and wizards ways. She could understand why her master had sent her here. Definitely not to just cook but to take care of the three people stuck in a puzzle box house. And she could also understand her presence in the Burrows was acknowledged with a grain of salt. So while she made dinner, she looked about the kitchen and sighed.
The Weasley matriarch was respected among house-elves because of her culinary skills. There would be murmurs about her ability to feed the boisterous Weasleys without breaking a sweat. Dorsie was honoured to be allowed to stand in her kitchen. As she read through those tattered cookbooks, she understood how far Molly Weasley's love for cooking went. While cleaning up the whole place, she had come across the abandoned knitting machine and Arthur Weasley's muggle collectibles. She could sense that she might have to go back to Master sooner than expected.
Dusting the rooms above, she muttered under her breath," Dorsie is at a fix. And Dorsie hates being at a fix. Dorsie's presence here insults the late Weasley Mother's memories. But Dorsie has seen with her own eyes how Master George struggles not to look at his dead twin's photograph, how Madam Weasley is withdrawn. She talks and is polite but she does not laugh as much. The Mistress is angry. She does not know why she is missing the master, but she won't say a word. And the Master is sad as well. Dorsie must do something. But what? Dorsie needs to think hard. These wizards and witches are young. And Dorsie knows the werewolf threatens even from far. Dorsie must keep an eye. "
After the three finished off her desert and thanked her politely for her services, Dorsie snapped her fingers and three tumblers filled with half a finger Firewhiskey appeared on the table. Standing a little taller, adjusting her small tunic, she nodded at the surprised witches and the wizard said," Dorsie has something to say." George gave his wife a side glance and noticed even she was unprepared for this. Ginny on the other side of the table looked curious as well.
When his eyes traveled back to the house-elf, she began," Late Mother Weasley was an honourable witch. The house-elves have always found her unique. Dorsie wishes to honour the Matriarch. She was a brave witch, a loving mother, and also a celebrity among the house-elves, though we chose not to mention it to our Wizard families. Dorsie is sorry. Dorsie thinks it is rewarding to be in this kitchen. Dorsie is grateful and sorry. Dorsie was complaining in the beginning. Dorsie does not wish to insult the Weasley ways, but Dorsie is more than happy to serve both the houses, till the Weasleys are up and about. Dorsie never thought of having children, but Dorsie feels Dorsie must simply take care of everyone."
Astoria watched the elf in awe. Of course with the amount of surety, she started her speech vanished at the end, but Dorsie was so much like Dobby, independent, and perspective. She found George struggling with his glass and in the end gave up and emptied it with one long swig. He saw her watching him and averted his eyes looking apologetic. Ginny, on the other hand, sat with knitted eyebrows trying hard to come up with something substantial. But the house-elf had surprised them once again," Dorsie has cousins serving Hogwarts. Every one of them enjoyed cooking for the Weasleys. Fostie especially knows to keep a small sack ready for the young masters when they sneak their ways to the kitchen late into the night. Words travel. And Dorsie has tasted The Weasley Matriarch recipes," twisting her ears, she looked about, then walked up to George and tapped his knee. "George Weasley must not forget the dead, but he must also start honouring them. Dorsie has learned the best way to do that is to start living up to their memories."
Looking at the tumbler the House elf stared back at the ginger head twin and spoke fondly," Drinking does not drown sorrow, laughter does. And the Weasleys are famous for celebrating the little things in life." Ginny had smirked at that and Astoria had chuckled. But George had gaped at the house-elf. It felt like she was trying to feed him his own medicine. Shaking his head, he gave it a watery smile and said," Well, Mum would have wanted us to celebrate. We witnessed the oddest of matrimonial ceremonies. And have survived the first day without killing anyone," Dorsie had refilled his tumbler, but with a quarter, he peered at his glass and narrowed his eyes. The house-elf was looking at him sternly and both Astoria and Ginny laughed at his expanse, drinking up their glasses.
Astoria was glad she was a part of the Weasleys now. They were a bunch of unprejudiced fun-loving siblings. George had pulled Ginny off the chair and danced around the kitchen with her, then suddenly she had found herself getting dragged in that freestyle dancing which was weird and funny and utterly hilarious. But the funniest part of all was to watch Dorise twist her hips and tap dance around them. Of course, that did not happen until George had twirled her round and round, till swayed miserable clutching her head with his knobby hands, muttering under her breath," Master made the world swirl." In no time the whole ground floor had been turned upside down, with three young people lying on the floor across the fireplace, red in the face, sweating and wheezing out of breath. And flabbergasted house-elf bumping her head at the armchair handle muttering under her breath," Dorsie should have known, Dorsie should have paid heed to The Master's warning words all those years ago, the Weasleys can be an utter menace."
George sat up and winked at the ladies. Then bringing out his wand, he cleaned up the whole mess with a determined swish. It was time for the house-elf to gape at him. He smirked and patted her knobby hands and whispered loud enough for the others to hear," That was me thanking you Dorsie, feeding me my own medicine. Geez, it feels like years not having smiled and laughed like this." The man left by the back door, probably to sit on the porch and mellow down.
Ginny dragged Astoria outside as well. As they sat on the rickety bench looking at the night sky, the youngest Weasley giggled," I don't think Dorsie has ever danced with a wizard or a witch. She looked comical."
Astoria softly corrected her,'' No, she has. Plenty of times. She was Draco's nanny once. And Draco can be a handful. Our play dates at his nursery would end up much like that, pointed at the house in general," George quipped," Difficult to believe that thought, Malfoy bouncing around like a white pony," Astoria giggled and muttered conspiratorially, "or a peacock. He was fun-loving and full of life. Until he was struck by the malady called 'appeasing Lucius Malfoy'.Ginny observed," Well that explains it, why Dorsie is so protective about him and now us. I never thought house-elves respected Mum like. It sounded like she was their celebrity of sorts." George squeezed her shoulder from behind and chuckled," Imagine Mum hearing that, she would stammer horribly. "
Astoria could feel George's fingertips playing with her hair. It was a good thing it was quite dark outside, or else the husband would also witness her horrible blush. She bit her lips and wondered aloud, "I don't know what Draco would say to this new development." George instantly understood the underlying invitation to broach the topic to Ginny. He cleared his throat and started," Well, Gin, the elf has said its bit, and I think we should talk it through with Malfoy, of course without hurting his feelings, but…" Ginny patted her brother's knees and got up, stretching herself and working on thought stiff muscles, she pleaded," George, I understand. But can you give it a couple of days? I need to figure a couple of things out. I think only once I am done I can face Draco." She choked at the last word and hastily felt the couple with an off-handed good night.
Even if she had said good night, as soon as she closed the door to her room, Ginny sunk down on the floor wondering why it hurt so much each time she thought or said His name. She looked around and curled her lips, her room did look better since the House elf took residence at the Burrows.
Old memories she wished to stay buried forever resurfaced. Lucius Malfoy always gave her the chills. And to learn he might have honestly wished her death because of some secret prophecy handed down through the long line of snobbish Malfoy's? How could she play a role in that? All purebloods were relatives to one other. Some were distant aunts and some else cousins once removed, twice removed, it was such a complimented mess of relations, that her head would burst if she thought any further.
Ginny decided before she could ask Malfoy about the prophecy, she needed to verify its credibility. Granger would have been handy in times like this, but then she didn't know how to approach her given their soured relations. Ron's death had made it worse. At least she could look up those genealogy tomes Percy bought from a flea market. She waited for the others to retire for the night and crept out of her room. Sending a silencing spell to both of her squeaking boots, the young woman crept up the stairs. It was hard enough to avoid staring at Ron's bedroom, but the slight of Bill and Fleur's empty room, made her tear up. The couple had shifted to the Burrows after the war. And Fleur had undergone drastic transformations. She had smoothly stepped into Molly's shoes. But Ginny knew behind their bedroom door, the French woman cried her heart out spooned into her husband's arms. She made up her mind to ask about them first thing in the morning.
Arthur Weasley didn't have a study. Instead, Percy's old room doubled as the young man's bedroom, the family's study, and the library. Percy was lucky, never of his younger siblings took to reading. The older brothers had already left the nest and got jobs and quarters of their own. Sitting down on Percy's bed, she lit her wand by murmuring Lumos and studied the books above his cleared up desk.
A subtle sound drew her attraction to her brother's wardrobe instead. Pointing her wand at it, she crept forward, wondering whether the doxies had once again invaded their house, she held her breath and threw open the doors, a spell dancing on her lips. But the very next moment she hissed at the large glinting eyes of the House- elf," Dorsie, what are you doing in here?" correcting herself, he added tersely," don't you dare punish yourself now!"
The house-elf laid aside the book she was studying and crept out and stood in front of the young woman looking as guilty as a cute little puppy. Wiggling her palms, she confessed," Dorsie has looked high and low but found no room specified for elves. Dorsie is ordered to stay with Mistress, Dorsie found this cupboard warm and half empty. Dorsie apologizes for reading Molly Weasley's recipe book without asking for permission first." Ginny peered inside the cupboard and tried not to smile. Indeed, her mother's Witches' Baking Wonders' lay open right over Percy's folded coats.
Looking at the house-elf she thought hard and then addressed her airily," Dorsie, I will not punish you. But, you can stay in this room and not inside that cupboard. But I would like a return favour."
The elf arched her eyebrows at that and studied the witch in return. Ginny bit the insides of her cheek. Honestly, Malfoy elves had to keep that habit from their owners! The elf nodded slowly,' Dorsie is listening." Going back to the bed, Ginny pulled the only chair in the room in front of her and ordered," Come sit on this chair and tell me about Doreen Malfoy."