Hey everyone,
Okay, so this chapter is going to cover Ancient Runes, Defense with Hestia Jones and Harry's visit to Dumbledore's office. After that I'm going to make a small time-jump and then cover something that was hinted at in chapters 15, 17 and 25. But like I said in the AN there, it won't be Harry who will use said object. Some of you might WANT him to use it, but I don't really feel like going down that route with this story.
Sorry, not sorry,

Venquine1990

Chapter 44
To Start Anew – Part 02

18th of March 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
Harry's POV

Lunch passes by easily and as we head out, the twins walk with me side by side as they have Arithmancy while I have Ancient Runes next. Because of this they have to be one floor higher than me. And the whole ride the twins have their fingers entwined with mine and they even delight in the fact that I still have their marks as they call it. I smile in delight and tell them about a spell I found that works with this.
The twins kiss my cheeks in happy gratitude for the fact that I cast the spell and I happily tell them that I am proud to wear their mark, how much I love showing the world that I belong to them and them alone. This time both boys kiss me full on the lips, Fred first and George second, and both intense kisses leave me weak at the knees once again. Neville jokes that I still need to walk to class, but neither of the three of us care.
At the point where I need to head into a corridor and they have to head further up, I kiss them both on the cheek and remind them of my appointment with Dumbledore after classes. They both nod and promise that they will wait for me at the bottom of the Defense Tower. I happily nod at this and then watch them head up before I enter the corridor. Hermione asks me about my appointment and I wince before I answer:

"I've changed a lot since I first put on the Sorting Hat. As you probably remember I was a Hat Stall. Ever since Bill cleansed my scar, I wondered if that junk inside it might have something to do with that. Dumbledore saw my look and saw me fake to adjust the trim of an invisible hat. He recognized my request and nodded to acknowledge it. I'm not going for an official resorting, I just want to know what the Hat thinks – now that I'm clean."

My best friend nods and alongside Dean, Seamus, Ron and Neville, we enter the Ancient Runes classroom. Instantly I am in love with the interior. There are portraits and paintings of various ancient civilizations all over the walls, but their frames are covered in all kinds of runes. And somehow I can almost sense that some of them are active and others aren't. As if the latter group is merely there for show or to add to the décor.
I notice that the same goes for all of the desks and walk between each of them. For some reason I feel myself almost drawn to the table in the front right corner and I gently run my hand across the runes at the top of the desk. I don't even notice that I am the only one standing at a desk, but then the teacher, Professor Babbling speaks up. "Very interesting, Mr. Potter. And excellently done, class. You may take your seats now."

I look up and look behind me. My eyes widen when I see that everyone is still standing at the back of the class near the door. The others all move over to their seats, but to my surprise, Hermione goes to sit with Hannah Abbott and Seamus goes to sit with Ernie MacMillan. The class is a mix of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor and the way that everyone sits seems to really prove this. It's only then that I realize they must all have their own personal tables.
I look back to mine and then up to Professor Vector. The woman grins at me and says: "Very perceptive, Mr. Potter. Yes, because Ancient Runes have been around in our society for so many centuries, I have managed to carve very specific runes into each desk, to determine what runes fit what personality. Though like I said, your choice is most intriguing. I had expected you to pick Mr. Finnegan's table, to be honest."
I spare a glance at the table of the Irish lad and then turn back to her as she says: "Roman Runes for fire and heat, Mr. Potter. Forgive me for this, but after everything you've been through and because I knew your mother growing up, I believed you would have a similar temper and that it might have been strongly ignited by all of your past experiences." I really can't fault the woman for her theory or her beliefs, yet I simply tell her:

"House Elves are good listeners, Professor. And those that once came from – ahem – harsh families know well how to temper a flaring rage if it stems from painful experience. They seem to just know when someone needs to vent, rage and tear at things to release stress and when they just need to keep talking and nothing else. It helped while I was in hiding. I'd like to think I put most of my past behind me since I left Hogwarts."
The woman gives me a gentle nod that is full of understanding. Instantly I feel my curiosity over how well this woman knew my mother raise another notch as I suddenly realize – Professor Vector hardly looks any older than Snape did and he was in the same year as my parents. I store this bit of trivia away for later and ask her about my table. The woman smiles and says: "Your explanation also explains your choice.
Ancient Greek Runes for water and rivers. You've managed to put the past behind you and have cleansed yourself of the wounds on your soul. But like water, like the oceans and like some rivers, you can still be very unpredictable. And this rune right here proves your worth as a Seeker as it's the Rune that is associated with the Struma river, the fastest river in all of Greece and one that has much historical value to the country."

The explanation brings a large smile to my face, especially because I really missed flying and playing Quidditch while I was hiding. But there is also another reason the explanation makes me smile and I happily tell the professor: "This is why I chose Runes over Arithmancy, Professor. I knew it had a lot of connections to ancient history, civilizations and culture and that really interested me. I was hoping to learn more about both."
The woman almost beams at me and tells me that I will fit right in with her class if that's my goal. I take my seat and the rest of the class is very pleasant. After she explains that she did the same for Seamus, Dean, Ron and Neville, the woman spends the rest of class summarizing everything that the class has been taught this past year. I make sure to pay close attention and also write down whatever key words I believe to spot in her lecture.
A few times the woman also brings up points that intrigue me enough I want to learn more about them, so I quickly make a separate list with key words about these topics to study later, maybe while I'm back inside the Shack. What's brilliant is that the woman also uses several bits of wood and brick on her blackboard to demonstrate some of the things she explains during her lecture and I try to draw a few examples on another scroll to study later.

Overall, as the class ends, I end up with three separate scrolls full of key words and drawings of things I hope to study in the months to come, even if there are only two and a half more months of classes before our OWL exams. The bell rings and everyone heads out. Yet while I put my stuff away and head for the classroom, I notice Professor Vector watching me leave with a large grin of personal pride on her face. Again the woman intrigues me.
Ron jokes that I sure was busy and Hermione asks me if I was even paying attention. I hand her the scrolls and say: "Everyone has different ways of learning, Hermione. That's why you chose a different table from mine two years ago. I just found the best way for me to study my classes while I was in hiding." The girl looks amazed as she sees my work and then beams at me as she hands the scrolls back. I happily put them back in my bag.

Yet as we get closer to Defense Against the Dark Arts, a sense of apprehension runs through me. Jones had been one of the last people to apologize about her spying, only two days before Bill and the others went to take Voldemort down. I also discovered from Sirius that she was often picked as one of the spies, at least more often than the others as she lived off of her grandfather's inheritance and didn't really have a job.
I know the woman meant her apology, yet at the same time I can't help but wonder what she will be expecting of me. According to Sirius, Jones had actually questioned Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall about my past experiences before she took the position and I know that, until their meeting a few days before they took down Voldemort, Dumbledore had been unaware of the fact that the Basilisk nearly killed me.

I try not to let these thoughts falter me or show on my face and try to remind myself to just give the woman a chance. I don't know her as a teacher, just as a member to the Order. Still the others seem to notice how I feel as Neville wraps a comforting arm around my shoulders and Ron whispers words of reassurance in my ear. I smile at the both of them and walk in as the door opens in front of us. What also helps a great deal is that Jones' classroom reminds me of Lupin's quite a lot. It's organized, yet has a hint of wild adventure to it.
And then I notice something I hadn't expected. On the wall to the right of Jones' desk are several pictures. Some of them are clearly news paper clippings of people who had gone on wild adventures, such as one depicting a man swinging a vine for a lake full of crocodiles only to almost swing face first into the mouth of an anaconda. But others are actually pictures of Jones herself and depict several foreign countries.

"So she doesn't just use her grandfather's inheritance to live without needing to work. She actually also uses it to travel to far-off places. I hadn't expected that." I think with a grin and a raised eyebrow. And because the pictures intrigue me, I want to take a seat at the front of the class and wait for Jones to arrive. But then suddenly my neck hairs stand up and just before I sense something being pushed into my neck, I react.
I crouch down and roll, but midroll I twist my body so that I land on my feet while turned around. And as I raise back up, I pull my wand and yell: "Lumos Maxima! Expelliarmus! Incarceous!" A startled yelp is followed by a hastily-summoned shield, which blocks both of my other two spells. I glare at this and cast more spells, but then Neville shouts at me to stop and that it's Jones I'm casting at. Instantly I cease my casting.

The woman is panting as she had to cast various different shield spells and other charms to negate my spell work and she says: "Dang Potter, I thought for sure that my spell on my pictures had you hooked. You sure didn't slack off while you were in hiding, that much is certain. I must say I'm impressed. I do believe that I noticed two Sixth year spells and a NEWT charm in that arsenal of yours. Pretty sure the only thing you didn't cast was that Patronus of yours."
The woman might sound as if she's complimenting me and talking about the weather, but her tone of voice just grates on my already frayed nerves and my annoyance with her. But because I respect Dumbledore enough not to reveal his Order or their little secret, I just ground out a growling thanks Professor from between clenched teeth. The woman seems to finally realize my state of being and she turns to me cautiously.

She asks if I know that Voldemort is dead and I hold back a snarl as I try to remain respectful. "Yes Professor, but I also know that only a handful of his Death Eaters were caught alongside him, not even half of the ones that I saw back in June. And while I know that the wards are recharged, my experiences with them speak for themselves. One might be able to put the past behind them, but instincts are harder to ignore – or undo."
The woman seems to actually realize what I am telling her without words and she mumbles a Right, sorry. Her tone seems genuine and so I just nod at her. The woman aims her wand at her pictures and I realize that she undid whatever charm drew my attention to them earlier. Then she comments that she was expecting me to start with the disarming charm and I growl that I don't like being predictable in battle. She nods appreciatively.

The rest of the class passes by tensely, but I can't deny it. Jones is definitely a very decent teacher. She's not Lupin and she's hardly on the same level as Crouch was when he pretended to be Moody, but she's worlds better than Lockhart and Quirrell. Naturally I suppress a snort at the thought as anyone even remotely decent is better than either of those two. And that's not even taking Quirrell's possession into account or Lockhart's lies.
Then, when the end of class is approaching, something happens that I hadn't expected. "Alright class, as promised last week, I have a special surprise for you all. Come in, William." Jones calls out to the door that leads to her office and Bill enters the classroom through it. I catch a glimpse of the interior and sigh in sheer relief at the sight of dark blue walls and a picture of a bright blue ocean set around a beautiful sunrise.

Jones spots this and sends me a grin and a wink that silently says I know, right? Her décor was horrible. And because of her decent teaching skills of the past hour and the fact that she seemed to genuinely feel sorry for her earlier actions, I grin back at her. "Okay everyone, as you all know Bill and I are part of the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore's society set to go up against Voldemort. We'll now demonstrate why he chose us to join."
Instantly everyone's attention is on high alert. The two adults grin at this sight, yet I also quickly grab a new scroll of parchment, quill and an ink bottle. I quickly set the whole thing up while Jones dismisses her desk and creates a bit more space at the front of the class. Bill also seems to cast some kind of magic and I notice a sheen of light shining across the room from one side to the other. Instantly I realize that a ward is in place.

And as soon as Bill nods to his colleague, spells, curses and hexes start to fly between the two. The whole ordeal happens so quickly I can hardly see either of their wands moving and I only recognize maybe one out of every five spells being cast. All in all it all goes so fast, I don't even get the chance to write anything down as I don't want to look down on my desk in fear that I might miss a spell being cast or what happens in the duel.
Jones, I notice, moves from one spot to the next, already jumping or stepping away from where she stood as soon as she casts a spell. Bill, on the other hand, mostly stays in his place except when he has no other choice. And where Jones seems to use spells and enchantments that cause all kinds of things to occur or appear around Bill, Bill actually uses a wand in one hand and some kind of knife in the other hand.
What amazes me is that Bill is able to use the knife as if he writes Runes into thin air as he carves all different kinds of symbols out of various different kinds of light. Some of them create shields that he can hide behind while he uses his wand to cast back at Jones, others create brick walls or other forms of defensive structures. And while some of them get destroyed and hit him, his cloths are enchanted to keep himself from getting hurt.

At the start of the fight, when Jones cast her first spell at Bill's nod, I heard someone shout that that was against dueling rules. I had rolled my eyes and thought: "They're Order members who are set to go up against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. And Death Eaters certainly don't care two Knuts for dueling rules. They don't duel, they fight." And that's exactly what Bill and Jones are demonstrating here before us.
Then, just a few minutes before the bell is about to ring, I notice Bill carving two runes right into each other. The first creates a wall of water that Jones freezes instantly. But this seems to be exactly what Bill wanted her to do and the woman notices his victorious smirk only a second too late. The ice gets turned into icicle spears and shoot for Jones. And while she hurriedly banishes them all, she fails to spot Bill's disarming spell.

Her wand flies from her hand and Bill deftly catches between two of the fingers of his hand that is also still holding his carving knife. The man compliments his opponent, who returns the sentiment and laughs that she should have seen that double rune carving sooner. And as they shake hands and Bill hands her back her wand, the shocked stupor caused by their duel is broken and the whole class breaks out in cheers and yells.
The two seem to have forgotten that they were fighting in front of a class as they look up shocked and I suppress a snort at this as I join in on the applause. The two smile and when everyone has calmed down, Jones turns to the other side of the class and says: "What you said was true, Miss Jones. But what we did wasn't dueling. It was a fight, like you can expect against most Death Eaters or other criminals like them.
I said I would demonstrate why Dumbledore had us join the Order, not the International Dueling Competition." At this I notice two things. One, I actually have a student in my year who has the same last name as my new teacher – though the two don't look as if they're related – and two, there is apparently something called an International Dueling Competition. And finally I look down and start writing on my scroll.
Jones notices this, but she ignores it and just looks up, right as the bell rings. She tells us that we will discuss battle strategies and the different dueling styles shown in the fight in the next class. And while I worry and wonder if she'll try another ambush next class, I pack up my things and leave the classroom. And as I head out, I feel a lot lighter and more relieved than I did when I headed up the tower's staircases.

And as they promised, Fred and George are waiting for me at the bottom. I grin at them and happily receive a short peck on the lips from either of them. I wave at my friends and promise to meet them in the library once I'm done with my meeting. Neville, Hermione and Ron and I only need to look Hermione in the eye to know. She wants to talk to me about my betrothal contract as soon as we meet up in the library.
I sigh and silently hope that Neville noticed the same and that he will try to talk in on her before I meet with her as I head down to Dumbledore's office. The twins link their fingers with mine again and remind me that Hermione just has to accept the contract for what it is and that she doesn't have the power to change anything about it. I nod at this, yet because of the whole thing with the House Elves, I still worry.

And while it's very much obvious that Dumbledore has been working hard to redeem himself ever since the whole thing with my scar was discovered, I still feel the same apprehension as before rise up within me. I squeeze the hands in mine just to silently convey my growing concerns. Both of my twins squeeze back comfortingly and reassuringly and then I suddenly, as we reach the gargoyle, realize that I don't know the password.
I want to furtively look around and get my Map, but Dumbledore seems to know that I am here as the huge statue moves aside by itself and the rotating staircase slides out of the floor below it. I take another deep breath to gather my Gryffindor courage and get up on the steps, the twins one step behind me. Yet we keep our hands locked and our fingers entwined the whole way. And when we reach the top, Fred knocks.

The headmaster beckons us to enter from the other side of the door. And the amazing, extravagant and magically marvelous décor of the Headmaster's office helps me to calm my nerves down and brings a smile to my face. There is already a comfortable three-seater recliner sofa set in front of the Headmaster's desk and all three of us give the man a grateful smile as we take our seats. The man beams back and greets us as he says:
"It's very good to see you back at Hogwarts, Harry. Even if it's only for the trial period and your elf will escort you to your hiding place later tonight. And I must say, you three certainly know how to surprise an old man. I don't believe anyone knew of your relationship other than Miss Chang. Though I must say, Harry, I hadn't expected that you would let the public decide your love life for you like this. Forgive me, but it seems unlike you."

I sigh and reply that I didn't let them pick for me, I just predicted who they might want to pick for me if they were given the chance and beat them to the punch. I explain to the man the same plan I explained to Ron and the others back in the Shack and the man seems both intrigued and impressed. Then he grins at me and says: "Still ever the sneaky one, aren't you? Which I suppose is due to the reason behind this visit."
I nod at the man and say: "I know that, when I first put the Hat on, it thought I could do well in Slytherin. And I admit, I have, over the years, made ample use of my ambition and my cunning to get myself out of dangerous situations and outsmart Riddle where I could. But – I just don't know I – I can't help but wonder if – if the Hat believed this – because of my Scar. I want to know what it will believe now that I've been – cleansed."
The man nods and he moves over to the shelf that houses said hat. The grin in the folds of the headdress worry me and I try to ignore how it makes my stomach churn uncomfortably. Instead I focus on the fact that the twins hadn't tensed or looked at me shocked when I revealed what the Sorting Hat told me so long ago. I spare a glance at both of them and their grins of pride have me put on the Hat with a sigh of relief.

"Well, well, well, Mr. Potter. Let's take a look now, shall we? Hmm, you've changed remarkably, Mr. Potter. Certainly you're not the first student who has requested to try me on several years after their sorting, but still. Even if we don't take your adventures into account, you really have changed in remarkable ways, ways I truly couldn't have predicted when you first sat me down. Because of this, I am indeed forced to concede.
Don't get me wrong, Mr. Potter. You would still do well in each of the four Houses. You have grown more assured and confident in your beliefs. You have learned things that many of your peers won't learn for years to come. You have become both better at hiding your secrets and at achieving your goals. But most of all, Mr. Potter, you have forged bonds with quite a few others. You have taken them into your heart and you cherish them.
Yes, Mr. Potter, I admit. If I had Sorted you where I wanted, it would not have ended well for you. I had not taken your incredible heart into account or how much value you place behind friendship and loyalty. I can now see why Mr. Diggory's death affected you so deeply. I believe he was dearer to you than you yourself realize. If I had sorted you right all those years ago, you would have become fast friend, together in HUFFLEPUFF!"

The whole speech astounds me, but when I hear him shouting, I quickly pull him off my head and look down. And pure relief overwhelms me when I see that I still have a red trim on my robe and the Gryffindor symbol on my breast pocket. Dumbledore smiles and reassures me that the Sorting isn't official, but that the Sorting Hat loves being dramatic. I release another sigh of relief and then he asks me what House.
I realize that the Hat must have shouted the word in my head and not out loud and so I recite the speech. Both of the twins grin more and more widely as I speak and Dumbledore's eyes twinkle merrily at the end as he says: "I see. I must say, I both agree and disagree. I do believe you would have made some fine friends in Hufflepuff, Harry, though I don't believe Mr. MacMillan and Miss Abbot are anything like Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger."

I wholeheartedly agree with the man on this and tell him that I should be off as Ron and Hermione are waiting for me in the library. The man nods, yet he also speaks up. "Before you go, dear boy, I must know. What do you think of the changes that have been made around Hogwarts?" I grin at the man and happily tell him that they are making Hogwarts exactly what I always thought it was; a beautiful home away from home.
The man beams at me and his whole face seems to radiate the happiness he feels at hearing these words. I can't help but smile back at this sight and then the three of us head out of the office after greeting him. And as we pass through the school, I definitely feel as if I spoke the truth. As much as I have grown to love the renovated Shrieking Shack and made it my home, Hogwarts is still an incredible place to be at.

Yet as we near the Library, we suddenly run into Angelina, who has Ginny with her. Instantly I remember something important, but what I hadn't expected was for Ginny to have my Firebolt in her hands and to press it into my own. "Here you go, Harry. Back where it belongs." The girl happily tells me before she greets her brothers and heads off. For a moment I worry about her as I know she used to have a crush on me.
"Potter – Harry – I know that you have your trial period and I totally respect that. I approve of it even, after all you've been through. I also know about your self-training room, Ron told me about that. But I would still like to train as a team. I've checked everyone's schedule with Professor McGonagall and I know we all have a free period before dinner tomorrow, so I booked the pitch for then. You think you can be there?"
I can't help but ask about Ginny and the older girl grins and says: "Already spoke with her over lunch. She approached me and said that she only wants the position if your trial period goes bad. Otherwise, you deserve it. She considers you the better Seeker, which you definitely are, and she knows how much you love flying. So, will you be there?" My response isn't vocal. Instead I throw my arms around my Team Captain.

Angelina and the twins laugh in delight and then Angelina tells me that she already knows about Hermione waiting for me in the library and that she placed a reservation on one of the nearby empty offices. My Captain asks if I want her to go get my best friend and I gratefully accept her offer and the directions towards the office. The twins split up and while Fred comes with me, George goes with Angelina to fetch Hermione.
We reach the office, which is the first on the right in a side hallway of the one that leads to the library. Instantly upon entering, I can see that Dobby and Kreacher have asked help from the other elves. My favorite kinds of fluffy armchairs have replaced a few of the chairs in the room and the desk that I am using in the Shack has replaced whatever desk might have been in here. This gesture of my smaller friends has me decide.

A minute or so later Angelina guides Hermione inside, yet I ask her and the twins if they'd mind waiting outside. The three shake their heads and close the door behind themselves. Hermione looks at me. Just the look in her eyes has me know that, even if Neville tried, he failed to change Hermione's mind. I see my favorite recliner armchair behind the desk, yet out of respect for our friendship, I take a chair on the other side. Hermione follows.
But before she can start her rant, which I am almost positive she has been silently practicing while she waited for me, I raise my voice and tell her sharply to get her mind out of the bloody middle ages. The girl looks shocked and I roll my eyes as I say: "Yes, the Wizarding World has evolved a lot slower than the Muggle world did, that is true. But Hermione, you're treating these traditions as if it's only been two days since they were first implemented.
Do you really think that the Wizarding World would have survived if they didn't adapt? Even if it was just alter their traditions a little here and there? And next to that, do you really think Sirius cares that little about me that he would sell me off? Hermione, if that was the case, it would have happened years ago and it would have been my parents who did so, not Sirius. I am not a damsel in distress and this is not the 12th century!"

The girl looks astounded at me and I think to myself that I am actually implementing her own SPEW strategy against her. This notion puts a nasty taste in my mouth, yet I continue regardless. "Hermione, until you read that contract, you have no right to judge Sirius, the Weasleys, the twins or me. because that's basically what you're doing, Hermione. You're not aiding, you're judging. And you're judging based on incomplete information.
And stupidly enough, the same counts for SPEW and House Elves. No, hear me out. While I was in hiding, I had some time to talk with Dobby and Kreacher. And I mean really talk. I asked them about two things that you never did. House Elf history and Kreacher's past with Sirius. And trust me, Hermione, both conversations were very eye-opening. And before you argue, you said for yourself that none of the library books covered House Elves."

The girl almost pouts and I ask her if she wants to hear what I learned. She nods and I start to talk: "Well, first things first. When I asked about House Elf history and the origins of House Elves, I discovered something that I think you will find very surprising. Tell me, Hermione, how do you think – House Elves are born?" The question seems to truly floor the girl and she asks if it's not the same way as humans.
I shake my head and answer: "A House Elf is born – when two elves working for a certain household can no longer handle the pressure of said house hold. And I don't mean their master's abuse or anything or the sort. I mean the work they need to do to keep the household going. So long story short, Hermione, a House Elf is literally born to serve, born to work. Their very existence depends on how much work they can do."

Hermione is gaping and blinking at me and I can't help but grin back as I joke with her to imagine what my reaction had been like when I found out. My best friend asks about the Hogwarts House Elves and I answer that, before the war, there were actually more. But the decreased number of students made less elves be needed to keep the school going and a few had to be outsourced to families of graduates and alumni.
Then Hermione mentions Dobby and I grimace as I tell her how, before he got hired by Dumbledore, Dobby was actually on the verge of dying. He wasn't able to find work, thus he wasn't able to serve the purpose of his birth. I also tell her that, yes, the Malfoy abuse aided in that as otherwise Dobby might have had longer to search for new work, but he needed to be employed. Yet at this Hermione seems to find something to strike.

"But that proves it then! House Elves don't need to be bound to wizards like slaves. I was right all along!" The girl's triumphant tone concerns me and I tell her that she is both right and wrong. The girl looks at me and I sigh as I tell her that the situation is much more complicated than that and that there are still factors she's not taking into account. One being the master in question, another being their effect on elves and finally –
"What they want. You're right, Hermione. House Elves don't need to be bound. But that doesn't change the fact that they want to. And that brings me to Kreacher. You see, when Sirius was growing up, Kreacher was already around. And you've already seen what kind of woman and mother Walburga Black was, so you can imagine how she would punish him if he, in her eyes, misbehaved. Such as after his Sorting into Gryffindor.
And here is what I mean. Back then, Kreacher hardly ever had to be ordered to either witness Walburga's punishment or join in on the punishment. He did so of his own free will. And he himself admitted that Walburga used practically everything to punish Sirius – bar the Cruciatus. Though he also admitted that, a few times, he saw Sirius in the kind of agony that is similar to that horrid curse. And he – did – nothing.

Not because he was ordered to do nothing, but because he didn't want to do anything to help Sirius. Because he just didn't care that a teenager was being cut open or was screaming and crying out in pain under his mother's spellwork. That, Hermione, that is why Sirius treats him the way he does and why it's safer for House Elves to be bound. Because then they can be ordered to keep such horrible treatment from happening.
Because then, they can be ordered not to become like the horrible masters that they serve, whether they be Walburga Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy or Bartemius Crouch. So if you really want to improve things for House Elves, you need to do two things. One, respect it when an elf doesn't want to be helped. Two, put your focus where it belongs, with the people who don't deserve to have House Elves working for them.
Leave the elves that are happy, working under pleasant conditions and treated fairly according to their ways of life alone and focus on the ones that really do indeed need help. And when you think you've found one such elf, make sure that you investigate the situation with the same vigor that you used to solve the Philosopher's Stone thing and the Chamber of Secrets mystery. Do what you do best; Hermione; study first and then do your best."

Hermione has her arms crossed, her left ankle tucked behind her right and her head tilted down into her lap. For a moment I wonder if I got through to my best friend and yet, when she asks if she can think through what I told her, I can't help but smile. "Sure thing. And I'll ask Sirius if he'll send you a copy of the betrothal contract sometime soon, okay?" Hermione seems to have forgotten about the contract and then she proves her big heart.
"Harry, are you sure you want this? I mean, do you really think you'll be happy with the twins? I mean, yeah, they've really been proving themselves this past year, but – are you sure this is the life that will make you the happiest? After all, you told me to think things through, but you also admitted that you didn't read the contract through even once before you signed it." I happily concede with her very fair point, yet then I say:
"That is true, but I do have other reasons to have signed. Do I think that the students would have turned on me if I had come out without the contract? Maybe. To be honest, after last night I think the chance for that is 50/50 moreso than 75/25 like I feared it was. But Sirius didn't write the contract with the students in mind, but with the press, the media, Skeeter and those who are still Boy-Who-Lived crazy and out there.
And considering that they were my reason for the whole thing with Cho, I deeply appreciate that Sirius went to lengths like this. Do I think that maybe Mrs. Weasley agreed to the contract because she really wants me as part of the family. Yes, yes I do. But I don't care, because I also know that she did it, because – like you, like Sirius, like the twins – she has my best interest at heart. And that's where the difference lies, Hermione.

The whole situation with House Elves might concern complete strangers if you decide to continue to pursue this path – and no, I'm not trying to dissuade you from it, I would support you all the way to keep innocent House Elves away from abusive masters – but the situation with my contract concerns people we both know, love and trust. Who we know have our best interests at heart." My friend smiles and concedes to my points.
I pull my Ancient Runes book and notes out of my book and ask her if she wants to study on a few of the things from Professor Vector's lecture with me. Instantly the girl is all over my notes and I happily let her read through them once again. She also corrects a few of the mistakes I made while drawing examples of the things Professor Vector showed off and I correct them. For another hour or so we work together like this.

But then a bell rings somewhere far away in the distance and we both look up. The door opens and the twins, Angelina, Neville and Ron all come in. "You're heading back, right mate?" Ron asks and I feel startled as I hadn't even realized that it was already nearing dinner time. I nod and happily hug each of them goodbye, even if I will see them again tomorrow morning. Fred and George also softly peck me on the lips before I leave.
They softly tell me to think of them and I reply that I will definitely dream of them. They both grin and the way their brownish green eyes glint and shimmer is one of the things that I deeply love about both of them. I focus on that sensation as a Hogwarts House Elf takes me to the boys dorm. And from there Dobby pops me back to the Shrieking Shack. And while it feels slightly lonely, I am still also very happy to be home again.

Good on you, Harry,
And that was Harry's first day back. I know that there are plenty of stories where Harry loves Ancient Runes or Arithmancy over other subjects, but I still quite like my spin on the whole thing. Is it really the way Ancient Runes works? Not sure, I don't care. As for DADA, I'd like to think that I properly described the hesitant teacher-student bond that will exist between Harry and Jones for the time being.
Though if I have to be honest, the one thing of this chapter that I am most proud of is this new take on House Elf origin. Those of you who have been reading my stories for some time now will know that I always love to create new backstory and lore and head-canon when it comes to things like House Elves and certain spells and stuff. And I have to admit, the Kreacher-Sirius part was hard to write, but I considered it necessary.
You agree?

Venquine1990