Disclaimer: I don't own this world.

A/N: I've learned it's really hard to write how house elves speak. So, sorry about that...I did my best.

Harry, Snape, and Castor moved to Hogwarts a week before the term started so that Snape could get everything set up for the new year. Headmaster Dumbledore met them in the entryway of the castle as they walked up from Hogsmeade since they couldn't floo directly into Snape's quarters until he was officially back in residence (not that Harry was ever planning to floo anywhere again if he could avoid it). "Ah, you must be young Mr. Snape," Headmaster Dumbledore twinkled at Harry.

"Please call me Artie or Arcturus," Harry said, shaking Dumbledore's hand. "This is Castor," he said as Castor buried his head in Harry's shirt in an uncharacteristic show of shyness.

"Well, hello Castor," Dumbledore grinned at the baby who just hid more.

"I guess he's decided to be shy today," Snape frowned at the baby's unusual behavior.

"Thank you for being so accommodating to the two of us," Harry smiled at Dumbledore. "We really do appreciate the family rooms. I doubt my dormmates would be happy to wake up with us for an early morning feeding."

"It was no problem, my boy."

Harry winced at the term "boy." Ever since Vernon (so since forever) both boy and freak felt like actual physical blows. "If you don't mind headmaster," Snape butted in seeing Harry's wince. "We would really like to get settled in. We could all chat over dinner tonight in the Great Hall maybe."

"Of course, Severus," Dumbledore agreed with a look of frustration at his lost spy and turned back to Harry. "I would however like to tell you how sorry I am for your losses."

Harry blinked. As many people as he had lost and as long as he had known Dumbledore, he thought that was the first time he had expressed actual sadness over any of Harry's losses, even Sirius. "Thank you, Headmaster," Harry said hollowly, which probably helped sell their story.

Dumbledore just nodded and called Misty, the elf that served Severus and asked her to show Harry (or Arcturus) to his rooms. "Yes, sir, Headmaster, sir," Misty called as she led Harry and Castor up a flight of stairs.

Harry thanked whoever had put thought into the family rooms because his room was up just a few flights of stairs from the Great Hall and in the middle of the castle. It would be easy for him to run back to his rooms between classes to feed and/or change Castor. Well, all except potions in the dungeons, but Snape would definitely let him use his office after class if Castor needed a change. They entered through a portrait of a very flirty faerie with the password, Mos Meiorum. The rooms themselves were very comfortable. The portrait hole opened to a living room area with a large fireplace, an overstuffed couch, and two armchairs all done in neutral colors with pops of burgundy and forest green. In the back of the space, was a small kitchenette and dining area, and opposite the fireplace were three doors, one to Harry's room, one the nursery, and one the bathroom. "Can Misty help set up or with the baby?" the little elf offered.

"No, thank you, Misty. I think we'll just rest for a while," Harry told her with a smile. Actually, Harry and Snape had discussed their situation and could not be certain of the loyalties of the Hogwarts house elves since they were bound to the school and not Harry or Severus. If say, Harry asked one to change Castor's diaper while he was in class and they saw his mark, they didn't know if the elf would tell Dumbledore. They weren't willing to take the chance that anyone learned about the baby Selkie until he was old enough to take care of himself. Even though his pelt was in Harry's vault, the baby was just too vulnerable. Harry and Severus had both learned the hard way that not everyone has children's best interests at heart. Severus had said that he thought he had a solution, but he hadn't had the time to tell Harry since they were busy packing.

So, instead, Harry just took all their shrunken baggage out of his pockets. By the time Harry had gotten Castor settled in his playpen with an enormous amount of toys and had unshrunk everything for the nursery, there was a knock at the portrait. Harry opened the door to find his dad. "Hey, you found us! Come in."

Snape raised an eyebrow at the room in appreciation. "It's not bad."

"It's better than anywhere I've stayed, except for your place," Harry said as he unshrunk his school trunk.

Snape was going to protest that his place wasn't that great, but he saw that Harry was completely serious, so he didn't say anything. "Password is Mos Meiorum by the way. Come by anytime."

"Thanks, I'll take you by my quarters after dinner," Snape said. "I came to talk to you about the house elf issue."

"I just assumed we'd be avoiding them."

"They'll be useful if Castor needs something during class," Snape explained. "If you couldn't call an elf, you would have to leave class every time Castor cries, and he's a baby, so it'll happen a lot."

"What do you suggest then?" Harry asked sitting on the couch while Snape took an armchair.

"What do you know about the elf that's followed you around since second year? Is he trustworthy?"

"Dobby?" Harry asked. "Yeah, he's trustworthy and he's a free elf, so he's not bound to the school. It might work."

"There's no such thing as a free elf," Snape snorted.

"I freed him second year," Harry protested. "Dumbledore pays him to serve in the kitchens."

"Then Dumbledore has been hoodwinked," Snape chuckled. "I'm surprised the old man doesn't know more about house elves. Really, that seems a fairly large blind spot for one of the most powerful wizards in existence."

"What do you mean? Dobby isn't free?"

"No," Snape said simply. "Elves have to be bound to a wizard to feed off of their excess magic. It's a symbiotic relationship. If an elf isn't bound, they will sink into depression and slowly die."

"Winky," Harry breathed, thinking of what happened to Barty Crouch's old elf.

Snape just raised an eyebrow but didn't care enough to ask. "My guess is that your Dobby bound himself to you without telling you. Which is rude but not illegal."

"Oh…I mean, if he was going to die, that's all right then I guess," Harry said confused.

Snape snorted. "That Fury protectiveness can be annoying sometimes, or maybe it's just your Gryffindor showing."

"Hey, I'm being resorted in a few days. I might not end up in Gryffindor again," Harry protested, knowing it was very likely that he would be sorted elsewhere, specifically Slytherin.

Snape snorted, "The Gryffindor Golden Boy, hardly."

Harry just smiled. He figured it would be better fun to wait and surprise Snape at his sorting. "So, Dobby solves our problem?"

"Ah, yes, try calling him. If he comes; he's your elf. Only elves bound to you or assigned to you by Hogwarts will come when called, and students don't get assigned elves."

"Uh, sure," Harry was pretty sure he had called Dobby before and he had come. "Erm, Dobby?!"

With a loud pop, the little house elf appeared wearing two hats and four pairs of socks in addition to his Hogwarts uniform toga. Snape sneered at his appearance. "Mr. Harry Potter, sir! And, Potion Master Snape! How can…?" Dobby cut off as he took in Harry's appearance and then the baby who was reaching up and giggling at the elf's ears. "Ooooh, we has a new baby, sir?! Dobby's so happy! And, Master Harry, you looks great. Your ears fits so much better now," Dobby said happily.

Snape and Harry both became concerned that Dobby recognized him so quickly. "Dobby," Snape said seriously. "Did you recognize Harry, or did you know it was Harry because he called you? Did you recognize him because you made him your master or because of some other means?"

Dobby started twisting the corner of his little toga and was eyeing the low coffee table like he wanted to hit his head on it. Seeing his thoughts, Harry jumped in. "You aren't in trouble Dobby; we just need to know. Did you make me your master?"

Dobby nodded his head. "Yes, sir, Master Harry. I's not wanting to leave you, but you's were only a tiny child. I didn't think you'd wants me to serve you."

"I'm not angry, Dobby," Harry said kindly. "I'm actually happy you're safe and healthy. I didn't mean to put you in a position that could hurt you by freeing you."

Dobby looked like Harry had just bought him a sock store as he smiled a large toothy grin and almost vibrated in excitement. "Now, Dobby, how did you know I'm Harry Potter when I look so different?"

Dobby looked confused. "Because you's my master," Dobby said simply. "We house elves always knows our master."

"Would you have recognized me if I wasn't your master?" Harry asked.

"No, sir. You's look very different," Dobby said. "But good," he added as an afterthought like he might have insulted his master.

"You have somehow found yourself the most Slytherin of all house elves," Snape laughed. "He not only got you to free him from the Malfoys, bound himself to the master he wanted, but also convinced the headmaster to pay him even though he doesn't technically work for the school."

Harry laughed and Dobby smiled, recognizing it as a compliment coming from Snape. "Dobby, are you willing to help me with my son this year?" Harry motioned to Castor. "Castor may get fussy in class and it would be nice to have some help so I don't have to leave all the time."

"Oh, of course, master!" Dobby exclaimed. "I's love the babies! I take good care of little master."

"Ok, then," Harry said seriously. "I'm going to have to tell you some things then, and I cannot have you intentionally, unintentionally, or under duress telling anyone what I'm about to tell you. I'm going to issue some orders to keep what I'm about to say secret. When I do that, could you tell me if I overlook an area that someone could use to make you tell them?"

Dobby smiled more in appreciation of the question than anything else, and Harry could definitely see what Snape meant by him being a Slytherin elf. "Of course, Master Harry. I's always catch all the loopholes."

"I know you do, Dobby, that's why I asked," Harry laughed. "Ok, so Dobby, I forbid you to tell anyone, oral or written, that my name is anything other than Arcturus Severus Snape or that you knew me before this moment. I order you to care for my son, Castor Harrison Snape, to the best of your ability. I forbid you to tell anyone, oral or written, that my son is a magical creature known as a Selkie (Dobby's eyes widened at this), and I order you to do your best to keep anyone from finding out what creature he is."

"I'm honored to serve Master Selkie!" Dobby said in reverence to the baby. "I's think the orders are good, but you's should also forbid me to tell anyone that Castor Harrison Snape is a Selkie as you's just said your son."

"Ah, thank you Dobby," Harry said. "Dobby, I forbid you to tell anyone, oral or written, that Castor Harrison Snape is a Selkie."

"Very good Master Snape," Dobby nodded.

"I don't suppose I can get you to drop the 'master?'" Harry asked.

Dobby thought for a minute. "You can order me not to call you master around others so that they's don't know I's your elf, but I's have to call you master in private."

"Ok, Dobby, when we are around anyone not in this room right now, or Remus Lupin, or Fred or George Weasley, then I order you to not call me master," Harry added. "Could you call me Master Artie instead of Master Snape? It gets a little confusing with him being here?" Harry asked motioning to Snape.

"Yes, Master Artie, sir!" Dobby beamed.

"Ok, one last command," Harry said as Dobby smiled even wider. "I order you to come to me if anyone treats you badly or if you need anything. I know Dumbledore is paying you, which I'm perfectly fine with you continuing, but as my elf, you should have access to my vaults, so when you need something, even if it's just new socks, you take what you need from there or come see me."

"Yes, Master Artie, sir!" Dobby beamed, yet again. "May I holds the little master now?" Dobby asked, excitedly.

"Of course, Dobby," Harry picked up Castor who immediately clung to Dobby while stroking his large ears.

"We's be bestest friends little master," Dobby cooed to the baby.

"Erm, Dobby?" Harry asked the smitten elf. "Do you happen to know anything about Selkies? I adopted Castor, and there just isn't much information written about his people. He probably has grandparents out there who love him, and I wouldn't even know where to start looking for them. I honestly don't even know his original name since his mother died before she could tell me."

"Selkies live on secret islands in the ocean, Master Artie," Dobby said. "They's have some business on our land though. Very few free Selkies live here, only they's that be captured. It's too dangerous on land. They's be very powerful, but secret to stay safe. We be distant cousins."

"Do you know how I might find his relatives?"

"No, Master Artie," Dobby said as he nuzzled the baby who was now poking him on the nose. "I's can ask though. We elves sometimes see a cousin."

Castor reached back over to Harry, wanting his dad. Dobby passed the baby off with a huge grin. "Thanks Dobby," Harry smiled. "You can go back to whatever you were doing. I'll call you when I need some help with Castor." With a loud pop, Dobby was gone again.

"Only you would end up with the insane elf," Snape chuckled.

"Insane or brilliant?" Harry asked.

Snape thought for a minute. "You're probably right," he said. "I think that elf could probably become Minister of Magic if he really put his mind to it."

"Dobby is too smart to be minister," Harry laughed.

Chapters will eventually get a little longer, but we have some short chapters to begin with. Up next: Harry meddles.