Chapter Eight - From the Ruins.
The next morning at breakfast Harry and Ron talked to Hermione and Ginny about what had happened in their dormitory.
"I couldn't believe that not a single girl had a broomstick in the dormitory" Ginny was saying.
"You didn't try to use the stairs at all?" Ron asked.
"No, I think the fire spread more rapidly in the girls' dormitory," Hermione answered. "Winky had to literally run through fire to warn us. Her clothes were actually singed, and the only way we could go was up."
"We tired everything," Ginny continued, "but nothing seemed to work. I conjured a stream of water with my wand, but it wasn't nearly enough to deal with a fire like that."
Hermione said "I thought about a freezing charm, but not everyone knew how to do it, and I couldn't do one powerful enough to protect us all. Besides, I think the stairs were collapsing by that time."
Hermione continued "when we were all at the top of the tower, I tried to transfigure the castle wall into a stairway or a ladder, but the spells just bounced off. The castle has too many protection spells on it for someone to do that. The last thing I could think of was to conjure the rope ladder you saw when you got there. I'm glad we didn't have to use it!"
At this point Tunny approached the table. He said "Master Dumbledore would like to see miss at his temporary office, please."
"I wonder what he wants?" Hermione said as she stood up. "I guess I'll see you later."
Ginny hadn't finished her breakfast, but Ron and Harry followed Hermione out and noticed that Justin Finch-Fletchley of Hufflepuff was waiting outside. He joined Hermione as Tunny led them to Dumbledore's tent.
"Now I wonder what he wants with Justin and Hermione?" Ron said, with just a trace of tension in his voice.
"No idea," Harry answered, "except that they're both muggle-born. Justin's actually a very nice guy."
Regular classes were canceled for the next few days, but students were not allowed to leave the school grounds. Harry wanted to walk around the castle to survey the damage, but Ron said he'd catch up with him later.
The owls that had taken refuge on Hagrid's roof were gone now, along with a large number from the Hogsmeade Post Office, all carrying messages to reassure worried parents. Dumbledore had specifically asked parents and family members to not descend on the school from every direction. Instead, the Hogwarts Express was to make a special overnight run, and was expected in Hogsmeade the next morning.
Dobby and a number of other elves were gathered near the Hogsmeade fire engine, which had been moved close to the castle. This time, instead of pumping water into the castle, it was being used to pump water out of the kitchens. During the fire, the elves had heroically managed to save most of the school's food supply and a great many kitchen implements, but the kitchens and elf quarters were completely flooded.
Elsewhere, in parts of the school that had not been seriously damaged or destroyed by fire, elves were busily hauling out curtains and rugs to be washed, sweeping up soot, mopping floors, washing windows, and in some cases, painting areas that had sustained smoke damage.
Harry stood a little way from the castle, half amused, and half bemused as he watched them work. He came a little closer to the front doors just as three of them emerged carrying a rolled up carpet. They were smiling and chattering happily, but came to an abrupt halt when they saw Harry.
"Good morning," Pinky said to him. "Is there anything we can do for you, Harry Potter, sir?"
"Good morning," he answered back. "No, thank you, I don't need anything. I just can't believe how cheerful you all seem to be in this mess."
"Sir," another elf responded, "we is house elves. When there is work to be done, we does it!"
"Begging your pardon, Harry Potter, sir" the third elf said, "but you is in our way. Please let us pass!"
Harry stood aside and let them continue on to a spot near the lake which had been set up as a makeshift laundry area. There were huge cauldrons for heating water, and big wooden tubs where the elves were using a combination of elf magic and simple physical labor to wash huge piles of bedding, curtains, and rugs.
Professor Flitwick's charms had held, and the library and hospital wings were the first parts of the castle to be reopened. The number of patients in the first aid tent was considerably reduced, and Winky was helping Madame Pomfrey transfer the remainder to the ward. Once there, Winky was relieved to find her room and possessions intact.
With the patients settled in, Madame Pomfrey sent Winky to work with the other elves. She changed out of her nurse's uniform and put on her regular Hogwarts apron before hurrying off.
In the meantime enough water had been pumped out of the kitchens and elf quarters that it was possible to enter them. The water was positively black, and had left a residue on everything. The elves had been instructed to bring out their little beds first of all.
A none-too-pleased Filch was standing nearby with Phyllis Phlayme, an adjuster for Blaze, Burnam, and Scorch (Purveyors of Fire Insurance to the Wizarding World since 1742). Filch held a huge folder crammed full of sheets of parchment in his arms, marked "Fire Insurance Policy." Phyllis looked carefully at a sheet from the folder, then began tapping the sodden elf beds with her wand. Each time she did so, the swollen mattresses, soggy pillows, and soaked blankets were suddenly transformed into brand-new condition.
As she worked, elves were working to scrub out their quarters and the kitchens, though to their confusion, Dumbledore had ordered them to give the highest priority to making their own quarters habitable again. Toby kept watch as work progressed, and when an elf reported that their quarters were cleared, he ordered the just-restored beds to be taken inside.
The beds were was good as new, but with one difference; now there was a nameplate on each one. Using their remarkable strength, only one elf was needed to move a bed, carefully balanced on his or her head. Once the beds were back in place, the kitchen became the center of activity, though the elves were again a little confused by Dumbledore's orders that they were not to light fires or try to cook anything.
Everything that could float in the kitchen had drifted from its normal position, and the first order of business was to move the large tables back into place. Then, Dobby, Winky, and ten other elves jumped onto the tables wearing what appeared to be shaggy-looking slippers on their feet. The "slippers" were in fact small mops which allowed the elves to quickly scrub the tabletops with strong soap and disinfectant. Dobby and several other elves giggled happily as they slid around in the suds, frequently stopping to dip their feet in the large buckets that had been placed at the end of each table.
At one point Dobby intentionally let himself slide towards Winky so that she had to reach out to stop him or else be knocked down. "Dobby," she squeaked sharply, "watch what you's doing!" However, her huge brown eyes gave her away; her words were sharp, but the spark in her big brown eyes said something else entirely.
The scullery had been re-commissioned, and virtually every pot, pan, kettle, dish, plate, or utensil not salvaged before the fire had to be washed and decontaminated. As she carried a stack of dishes towards the scullery after finishing with the tables, Winky actually smiled slightly as she remembered her last encounter there.
Elsewhere, Justin and Hermione had finished their conference with Professor Dumbledore, and were headed for the library.
Ron had joined Harry by this time and muttered "NOW where are they going?"
Harry answered "well, you know Hermione ... she'd never let a little thing like a fire keep her from studying!"
Both of them were distracted by the arrival of several huge wagons from Hogsmeade, heavily laden with building materials. They stopped near the Gryffindor tower.
Professor Dumbledore had joined Filch and Phyllis Phlayme there. Her work was going to be much more complicated now because insurance charms only worked on property that had been damaged; completely destroyed items had to be replaced.
Inspections had established that the massive tower walls were still sound, not weakened by the fire at all, and Professor Flitwick used the opportunity to demonstrate some heavy-duty construction charms. Shortly, pieces of blackened debris and rubble were flying out of the tower in an orderly fashion, pausing in front of Phyllis Phlayme. Keeping a close eye on the insurance policy, she tapped each piece with her wand to send it to an empty wagon. At the same time, a corresponding piece of new material flew from a waiting wagon into its proper place inside the tower, where a crew of construction goblins guided it into place.
This process continued all day, and grew to include the Great Hall and several other parts of the school. Professor Dumbledore kept a sharp watch on the work, and occasionally intercepted small items of wreckage with his own wand. In most cases, he sent them on to the wagons after looking at them, but he kept a number in a basket at his feet.
The day passed quickly, and lunch was not a formal meal. Instead, the elves had sent huge platters of sandwiches and jugs of pumpkin juice to be consumed wherever it was convenient. However, dinner was served as usual in the large tent.
"What were you and Justin doing in the library all day?" Ron demanded of Hermione.
"Professor Dumbledore gave us a special assignment."
"What is it, and why you and Justin?"
"We can't say just yet, but since you seem so interested, it does have to do with the fact that Justin and I are both muggle-born. I've never really talked to Justin before, but he's actually very nice."
This did not make Ron very happy, but he remained silent.
Some time later they found everything in the sleeping tents had been tidied and straightened. Personal trunks now had been sorted out and stood at the bottom of each sleeping bag. Somehow the elves had figured out which trunk went with each sleeping bag.
In the girls' side, Hermione found Crookshanks curled up on her sleeping bag, and on the boys' side Trevor the toad was waiting for Neville.
"HOW did the elves manage to do all this and the other work?" Hermione wondered aloud as she stroked Crookshanks.
It had in fact been the type of day the elves loved, with almost more work than they could do. Most of them were surprised at how tired they were as they returned to their just-renovated quarters. Winky was back in her nurse's outfit, treating minor injuries, and in a couple cases, sending protesting elves to the hospital wing for more elaborate treatment.
The next morning at breakfast, Justin Finch-Fletchley stopped an even smaller than normal elf who had just delivered a platter of sausages to the Hufflepuff table.
"Those sausages are my favorite," he said. "Thank you for bringing them."
The little elf beamed. "Sir is very welcome" he squeaked.
Justin said "my name is Justin. What's yours?"
"Stinky, sir" the tiny elf squeaked softly.
"I beg your pardon?" Justin said.
"Stinky, sir. My name is Stinky."
The elf's louder answer had been heard at the Slytherin table, where it caused roars of laughter.
"A stinky elf?" one Slytherin said.
"We can't have any stinky elves around here!" another Slytherin who looked a lot like Dudley Dursley said, holding his nose.
A huge tear rolled down Stinky's cheek. "Stinky does not stink," he said. "Stinky takes a bath every day, and always wears a clean tea towel!"
Justin, who was moved to pity, had a sudden inspiration. "Stinky," he said, "were you the smallest in your family?"
"Yes, sir," Stinky answered miserably.
"Then I know where your name came from. I had a cousin who was shorter than everyone else. We always called him 'Stinky.'"
Stinky suddenly smiled. "Sir understands!"
A/N: In the not-too-distant past, "stinky" was a common nickname for someone who was short.
"Don't let them upset you," Justin continued in a low voice, "you're still a very good elf!"
"Thank you sir," Stinky said as he bowed, then scampered away.
A few minutes later he reappeared with a huge platter of sausages, and Justin did not have the heart to tell him he was already full. Still, he thanked Stinky, who left the tent with a big smile on his face. Justin passed the platter on to the Ravenclaw table, taking silent pleasure in the looks of outrage on the faces of several Slytherins.
A short time later a train whistle could be heard in the distance, indicating that the Hogwarts Express had arrived in Hogsmeade.
Most of the students and faculty hurried towards the school gate. A crowd of people could be seen approaching from the direction of Hogsmeade, and shortly there were dozens of small family reunions as relieved parents embraced their children. Towards the back of the crowd, Hagrid loomed above everyone else. He was escorting a very nervous-looking man wearing the uniform of a major in the British Army.
Justin, who had not expected to see his muggle parents, was extremely surprised. He ran forward, saying "Dad! What are you doing here?"
Major Finch-Fletchley smiled when he saw his son. "Your Headmaster has requested my assistance," he said. "I understand that it's an extremely rare privilege for a non-magical person to see Hogwarts."
Nearby was a small mob of redheads. Molly Weasley was trying to hug all of her children, plus Harry and Hermione at once (gerroff Mum, I'm alright!). Confusion reigned for several minutes, then Arthur Weasley felt someone tugging at his robes. He looked down to see Dobby looking back at him with his green tennis ball-sized eyes.
"Master Wheezy sir, " Professor Dumbledore is asking that you and Mistress Wheezy come to his office as soon as you can." (Dumbledore's office had by now been cleaned and reopened)
Molly Weasley was looking at Dobby with a slightly bemused expression. Ron noticed, and decided to try to head off trouble before it could happen.
"Mum," Ron said, "this is Dobby. I gave him the sweater you made last Christmas because he was running around in the middle of Winter without so much as a shirt to keep warm."
Dobby's already-huge eyes got even larger as he looked up at Mrs. Weasley. "Mistress.... Mistress Wheezy is making this sweater?" he asked, plucking at its front.
"Yes..." Mrs. Weasley said a little uncertainly.
Dobby instantly whipped off his tea cozy and bowed very low. "Mistress Wheezy is a very great and kind witch, to be the mother of such great wizards AND making wonderful sweaters!"
This was the first time Mrs. Weasley had ever heard of any her children being described at "great wizards," but she nonetheless smiled and said "thank you, Dobby. I think Ron may have mentioned that you have a good friend who is also working here now after she was dismissed by Barty Crouch?"
"Yes, ma'am. Dobby's friend Winky is now working in the hospital wing."
"Perhaps we can meet her before we go," Mrs. Weasley said.
Dobby looked like he was ready to cry tears of joy, but said "THAT would be a great honor, ma'am!"
At this point, Hagrid approached. "I think it's time we took Major Finch-Fletchley and the Weasleys ter see Professor Dumbledore," he said.
Arthur Weasley looked around excitedly. "MAJOR Finch-Fletchley?" he asked. "I'm so glad to meet you, Major. I don't get the opportunity to meet many mug-- I mean non-magical people!"
Everyone drifted towards the castle, most of them not noticing that several huge crates were being unloaded from the freight cars that had been coupled behind the passenger cars of the Hogwarts Express. The crates were put in wagons which started to rumble their way up the path.
"Major Finch-Fletchley," Professor Dumbledore said as he extended his hand, "thank you very much for coming."
"Thank YOU Professor," the major replied. "I understand this is a rare privilege. I wonder if I will remember any of it?"
Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, major, you will remember what you've seen here, but you won't be able to find your way back after you leave."
"I see," Major Finch-Fletchley said. "Now, how can I be of assistance to you, professor?"
Dumbledore shook the contents of a small basket onto his desk. "I would appreciate your assistance in identifying these items."
The items Dumbledore spoke of seemed to be insignificant bits of blackened and bent metal, though one piece was larger than the others, and looked a little like a small rocket.
As it turned out, it was exactly what it looked like; a small rocket. The major took only a few seconds to identify it as a small incendiary rocket, fired from a shoulder-held rocket launcher. The metal fragments were parts of other rockets.
He explained "about a dozen of these were stolen from an army base some six weeks ago. We thought it was the work of some kind of terrorist group."
"Where is the base located, major?"
When they heard the location, Dumbledore and Arthur Weasley exchanged startled glances.
Dumbledore spoke. "Thank you very much, major. My suspicions were first raised when our fire chief told me that the fire here was not of single-source origin. In other words, several small fires were started in several places, and you have just described to us the perfect device for it. Since it's a totally muggle device, none of our magic detectors would have found it."
"Why was the location of the theft significant, professor?"
"It's very near the home of a family of wealthy dark wizards by the name of Malfoy," came the answer.
"I see."
Professor Dumbledore continued. "Major, would it be a total breach of rules and security if you could get me a copy of the plans for this rocket and its launcher?"
"Not really," the major answered. "It's rather old technology, and uses no electronics at all. Do you mind if I ask why you want the plans?"
"If we can understand the makeup of the device, we can create a charm that will repel it," Dumbledore answered.
"Then send me an owl early next week, and I'll see that the plans are sent to you, professor."
A short time later Arthur Weasley said to his wife as they walked around the castle surveying the damage and restoration work "I will never cease to be amazed at the number of ways muggles have invented to kill each other!"
Justin was at the same time giving his father a tour of the grounds, before Hagrid came to escort the major to the nearest muggle railway station.
A small maroon object rushed up to the Weasleys. "Would Master and Mistress Wheezy like to meet Winky now?" Dobby squeaked.
"Yes, of course," Mrs. Weasley replied.
Dobby led them to the hospital wing, where he introduced them to a somewhat embarrassed Winky.
"Winky remembers sir from the World Cup," she said. "Sir was kind to Winky."
Mr. Weasley wisely avoided the subject of Barty Crouch, Winky's former master. "I'm glad to see that you're settled in here, Winky" he said. "I understand that you and Dobby were first to discover the fire."
"'twas nothing," Winky squeaked.
"It certainly WAS something Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. You probably saved dozens of lives!"
Winky looked a little embarrassed, but smiled without saying anything.
"Oh for heaven's sake," Mrs. Weasley said, pulling a tape measure out of her purse. "Dobby, please step up on that chair."
Dobby hopped onto the chair, though a little confused.
Quickly, Mrs. Weasley measured his waist, neck, arm, and distance between his ears, writing the measurements down on a pad she had also removed from her purse.
"Thank you, Dobby. Please step down now."
Dobby hopped down, and Mrs. Weasley said "Your turn now, Winky."
Winky obediently stood on the chair while her measurements were taken.
"Would sir and ma'am like a cup of tea?" Dobby asked.
"Actually, that would be rather nice, Mr. Weasley said. "But I don't want to create any more work for you."
Dobby had not even waited to hear the second sentence before he was streaking away. In almost no time he returned with a large tray carrying a teapot, cups, cakes, and cookies.
"How lovely!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. Dobby beamed.
When they had finished their tea, Mrs. Weasley said "It was very nice meeting you both. I hope we haven't taken you away from your duties for too long."
"Not at all," both Dobby and Winky said. Dobby continued "thank you for coming to see us!"
The rest of the day passed quickly, and almost nobody noticed the sounds of heavy construction going on in the kitchens, though the elves wondered why they had been told to stay out of them. Repair work on the rest of the castle was moving ahead rapidly also.
An early dinner was served in the large tent so that visiting family members would be able to catch the return trip of the Hogwarts Express.
Some time later, Pinky and Blinky were standing outside the kitchens. Listening to the noise, Blinky said "what is they DOING in there?"
The next morning Professor Dumbledore announced at breakfast that the Slytherins could return to their dormitory. "It seems," he said, "that someone put an impervious charm on the dormitory, which means that there was no water or smoke damage."
"Sounds very fishy to me," Ron said.
"Me too," Harry said. "I wonder how someone knew to put the charm on the dormitory in time!"
A little while later Hermione looked at her watch while she sat in the "common room" part of the Gryffindor tent. "I have to go now," she said.
"Where to?" Ron asked.
"It's time for that special assignment I told you about," she answered.
Hermione crossed the lawn to meet Justin Finch-Fletchley and continued on into the castle.
Ron said "Harry, get your invisibility cloak. I want to know what they're up to."
Harry thought Ron was overreacting, but he pulled the cloak out of his trunk. They quickly got under it and followed as fast as they could. To their amazement they found Hermione standing in front of the huge painting that served as the door to the Hogwarts kitchens. She tickled the green pear to turn it into a handle, then pulled the door open. Ron and Harry were barely fast enough to follow her and Justin in.
Over a hundred elves were gathered there, all looking adoringly at Professor Dumbledore. The kitchens looked for the most part as they had before, but the huge fireplaces were gone. In their place were six large white rectangular boxes.
Dumbledore said "ah, here are Miss Granger and Mr. Finch-Fletchley now. I have asked them both to talk to you about this change because they both come from non-magical families and have a better understanding of how some non-magical items work."
The six white boxes turned out to be AGA cookers.
A/N: The "AGA" cooker is virtually unknown in North America, but many in Britain consider it to be the ultimate cooking appliance. What makes it unique is the fact that it's "on" all the time, and the cooking surfaces remain at constant, but different temperatures. Consequently, one area on the top of the stove is for boiling or frying, while another area is for simmering. There are four ovens, which work in a similar way. Each oven remains at a constant but different temperature, and the appropriate oven is chosen for the type of cooking that is desired (simmering, baking, roasting, broiling).
Hermione began to explain the operation of the cookers, while Justin held open doors and covers as needed. The elves were fascinated, and little titters ran through the crowd.
Hermione asked if there were any questions. An elf named Tilly raised her little hand.
"Yes?" Hermione asked.
"Please miss, where is we putting the firewood?"
"You don't use firewood," Justin answered. "You load coal into this door, and once it's full it will burn for hours."
"That means you don't have to stand in front of an open fire while you're cooking," Hermione added.
More titters were heard, but also a squeaking voice which said "Twinky is not liking this. Too complicated."
Hermione heard Twinky, and asked her to step forward. "Twinky," she asked, "before these cookers were brought in, how would you have heated a kettle for tea?"
"Twinky would fill the kettle at the sink, then hang it on a hook in the fireplace," the elf answered. "To heat faster, the fire is needing to be stirred up."
"What if the fire has gone out?" Hermione asked.
"Then Twinky must light it again," the elf answered.
"Let me show you how you do it now," Hermione said. "Will someone bring me a tea kettle full of water?
About six elves moved, but Dobby was the quickest.
Hermione pointed to the top of one of the cookers. "Dobby, please set the kettle there." Dobby quickly complied.
"That's all you have to do," she said.
"That is all??" another elf squeaked.
"Yes, that's it," Hermione said. "You just leave it there until it boils, then you move it over here to keep the water warm."
This resulted in squeals of amazement, and many elves moved forward for a better look.
By this time Ron and Harry had seen enough, and very quietly slipped out of the kitchens.
"You know," Ron said, "I really think what Hermione was doing there will be of a far greater help to the elves than about a million SPEW badges!"
