Harry padded down the stairs of Grimmauld in a slight fluster. At some point he had left a rather important book out on a reading table next to one of the few small windows. It was not of great importance itself but helped with translating ancient runes.
His first stop had been to Kreacher who he found mumbling in the hallway. While he had found the locket he had yet to decide how best to destroy it without anyone being suspicious. Dumbledore was certainly suspicious of such a things existence, as any wizard would be when learning about soul anchors. Voldemort was also worth considering. His subversion of the attempt to retrieve the stone was reliant heavily on luck and would leave the still far more experienced wizard cautious as he had been the first time.
This Kreacher had been of no help. At least not in finding the book. That the elf didn't float about having hidden it away someplace meant that the only other person who could have taken it would be Sirius. While Remus had likely visited Grimmauld at some point since his friends release, the werewolf had yet to visit in the past week. Tonight the Bones would be coming over for dinner as well as a special guest that Sirius hinted at. This could only be one of a few people and it was fairly obvious to him who it must be.
Thus found him pushing open the swinging door to the kitchen to stand in front of Sirius with his hands on his hips. The Wizard was eating from a plate of leftovers and reading a newspaper before that moment and now sat looking lightly concerned.
"Have you seen a book left on a table at the third landing? I was reading from it." This performance was copied almost precisely from past Hermione.
"The- the one with all the funny scribbles?" Had he not known better he would think Sirius was doing his best impression of Ron at such a moment.
"If you couldn't read it why would you take it?" At this Sirius straightened a bit, as if remembering something. With a sigh the older wizard patted at a spot on the table for him to sit.
"Honestly, I was curious as to how far along you were with your readings. I asked a friend to look over the book for me so that he could let me know what he thinks."
"It's just a reference book for Ancient Runes. I planned to learn the alphabets before third year to get a head start." Sirius grinned at him.
"Exactly, and I thought I'd catch up on how far along that is! I am supposed to be your Godfather after all." Harry returned his smile. He forgot how cheerful the man could be. Often times there was little cause for that in the previous timeline.
"Well, what did this 'friend' of yours think?" It seemed obvious it would be Remus. What the intelligent wizard might deduce he was unsure.
"Frankly, he is impressed with where you are at. Even if you are just working on the basics, it would be pretty far along. They said they will be bringing the book back with them tonight."
"Still won't tell me about this friend of yours?"
"It would be best if you meet him first. There are some things to explain. Nothing particularly bad but..." This was not the first time his guardian had trailed away from the subject.
"Very well, I'm not all that worried anyway. I just wanted to make sure you don't slobber all over my things." Harry hopped off his stool and made a face towards the wizard, who made one back. As he exited the man got in one last jab.
"Don't forget to wash behind your ears tonight. Susie is coming, remember!"
MODMODMODMODMODMODMODMODMODMOD
Harry stomped his way down the stairs of Grimmauld in a quite a temper. Despite several attempts to get Dobby to arrange a meeting with his master, the elf was too concerned for him to allow it. No matter what he said the loyal elf was only concerned with keeping Harry away from Hogwarts that year. As before his mail was being taken. That did not particularly bother him as he had little contact of importance over the mail. He made sure to get Remus to send each of his closest friends a letter explaining something was wrong with his mail reaching him at his new home.
However the elf had gone too far this time. Just in the middle of practicing very meticulous runes he was interrupted by the elf taking summoning and stealing all the books he had been using. Not only was his practice ruined but he would now need to find where the books had been taken to.
"Kreacher! I have a question for you!" It took a few moments but the old servant of the house popped into place nearby him in the entrance hall. "Do you know where this Dobby elf would have taken my books?" He questioned in a rush. While he was not overly angry about the situation it was still quite frustrating.
"I would have no idea what that traitorous fool would be doing with your filthy possessions." The elf was as hostile as ever.
"Fine, go back to whatever it is you were doing." As he turned to walk away he had a brief mental flash of how Malloy would treat his elf and turned back. "Thank you for taking the time to talk to me, Kreacher." The elf just huffed and looked as if about to insult him but Harry had already turned away and hurried around the corner towards the kitchens.
Inside was Sirius, of course eating from a plate of bacon with a cup of warm liquid, who upon seeing Harry picked up the plate and began trying to run out the side door. Harry waved his wand to slam the door shut just in front of the older wizard.
"Please tell me you have control of the wards here?" Harry asked, again having to control his temper. Why anyone would be afraid of a twelve year old was beyond him. Sirius though turned around with a smile.
"Oh, of course I do." He said, the door behind him opening. However the man simply went back to the kitchen table. "Why do you ask? If you plan to do something with them I will have to tell you no. Warding is very advanced and dangerous and-"
"I had no intention of touching the wards, but thank you for the concern. I would of course ask for your advice before trying anything dangerous." Harry sat down at the table, muttering a spell that brought a cup and the tea tin towards him. Sirius floated over to him the kettle of water. His godfather had long since stopped complimenting his spell work. He was, after all, the one who informed him the wards were old enough to block the trace.
"Then what is it you're asking after?" Harry stirred his tea for a few moments, wondering how best to word his request.
"It seems another students House Elf has taken to taking my things. So far it was just a few letters and I thought I could reason with the thing. But now it's taken several important books of mine that will take days to replace, if not weeks-" this time it was Sirius to interrupt him.
"So you are asking for me to block them out of the wards?" Sirius closed his eyes and held onto his large Signet ring for House Black with the opposite hand. After a few moments he opened his eyes. "There, all done. No House Elves but Kreacher will be allowed on the property unless one of us invites them."
"Good, but that doesn't really solve the problem." Harry was glad half of his plan had worked. Now to see what Sirius might really know.
"You mean who sent the elf an why?" Sirius looked contemplative. This usually meant he was thinking up a plan to do something rude to someone.
"Yes, the name of the elf is Dobby but he won't reveal anything about his masters. It is clear however that the Elf is being abused. I don't think his masters sent him so much as they have some plans to hurt me." Sirius snapped out of his thoughts and looked dead at him.
"Do you have any idea how, or why, or where? Anything at all?" The older wizard had straightened up in his chair. Although he did not look quite so old Harry could see the clear resemblance between that of Sirius and the many of his ancestors paintings.
"Only that it will be something at Hogwarts. Im sure if we could figure out who his employees are we could figure something out." Harry stated pointedly. Sirius nodded.
"I'll ask some people at the Ministry. Maybe even Amelia will know. She does often have to travel in pure blood circles, after all."
"As should you, so that you can-" Harry cut himself off, realizing he was about to speak a bit out of turn for a soon-to-be 12 year old wizard.
"What do you mean?" Sirius questioned. Harry though of the first thing he thought sounded right.
"Well I just was wondering what your plans were for while I'm at school. I know money isn't really a big deal but I'm sure it will get quite boring being here alone with Kreacher." Especially if I can't figure out a way to 'accidentally' destroy it. He added afterward in his head.
"Ah, well, there are always Wizengamot sessions to attend." His godfather thought about things for a moment. "I suppose I could begin looking over the properties and setting up some small businesses. Really, all you need is one successful shop on Diagon and you will turn a real profit." Harry's mind lit up at this.
"I'm sure Moony would be good help, and I have a couple of friends at school who I think might have a great idea for a joke shop. I'd ask them but I can't get my mail through." He frowned at the end, pouring himself more tea and reaching over for a few thick slices of bacon to tear into. Not the healthiest of breakfasts but wizards tended not to need to worry about such things.
"Ah, a joke shop is a grand idea. Get your friends in contact with me and I might have a business offer. It's certainly not uncommon for wizards and witches in school to take up summer jobs at the shops." Harry tilted his head at this.
"Really? I had no idea. Nobody ever talks about having summer jobs." He had never really considered it before.
"Maybe it is no longer as common. Nobody would ever have taken me on and James would rather have spent the summer flying and chasing after girls." Sirius had a faraway look in his eyes that made Harry a little bit sad.
"I'll have to look into that. I assume you would give me permission in a few years?" Harry thought it might be a good way to get closer to one of the shop keepers. Maybe even Ollivander, although he had no idea how one would become a wand maker.
"Maybe the year before your owls if you have a good job lined up. Im sure that won't be much of a problem for you though." Harry just rolled his eyes at the mans wide grin.
"If I wanted to make money off my fame I would just write awful books like that Lockhart fellow." Harry gave another roll of his eyes at the thought of the man and finished his second tea, debating wether to pour another.
"Have you heard then? That he will be your defense professor?" Harry had to feign a mild look of surprise. It was easily hidden at his genuine disgust.
"Hopefully he doesn't try to attack me for some reason like Quirrel." The mood went a little bit somber at that.
"How are you dealing with that, by the way? You want to talk about it some more?" Harry shook his head.
"Maybe later, but thank you. You said we had something to do today?" Harry sighed and put away his cup and the tea.
"Ah, yes, we have to go sign a few documents down at the muggle government building in Surrey." Sirius set away the Kettle and waved his wand to pick up after a few more things, namely his now empty plate of bacon.
"Will the Dursley's be they?" Harry asked with crossed arms.
"No, nothing like that. Actually, Remus will be there to help with the papers. He's more familiar with muggle government buildings." They began making their way to the entrance hall.
"Good, I would have had to bring one of the morning stars with me to clobber my Uncle with. I don't think I would have handled seeing him without some accidental magic." They put on their most muggle looking summer blazers hanging in the entrance hall. Sirius certainly could pass for a sharply dressed muggle and Harry rarely wore robes outside of formal functions anyway.
"I don't think he'd want to see me for a few decades either, kid. Now then, let's be off. We should get some real breakfast on our way?" He questioned down at Harry.
"What, one giant plate of bacon not enough?"
"When have you ever seen a dog turn down bacon? And besides, there's a very lovely waitress working at the cafe down the road." Sirius waggled his eyebrows at that. Harry, although amused, had to make a face.
"What would Aunt Amelia say about that? Chasing strange women around? It would be unbecoming of a lord." It was his turn to waggle his eyebrows.
"We'll just have to keep it our secret. I'll buy you extra pancakes if you do."