BACKSTAIRS AT HOGWARTS
Chapter Nine - Rewards and Fashions



Repairs to the castle proceeded rapidly, and within a couple days enough rooms had been restored that at least some classes were able to resume. Outside, Professor Flitwick had taken advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate construction and repair charms, and Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology classes also started again.

Though the elves had returned to their living quarters, they continued to cook outdoors and spent much of their other time learning to use the new AGA cookers in the kitchens.

About two hours after lunch one day, Winky emerged from the elf passage near the library. She walked quickly and quietly (like a good house elf) into the library and through the stacks, her objective the same as the last time she visited the library.

When Hermione wasn't it class, she usually could be found there, where it was easier to study than in a noisy, drafty tent.

"Miss..." Winky squeaked softly.

Hermione recognized the voice and smiled. "Hello, Winky. How are you this afternoon?"

"Winky is very well, thank you, miss."

"That burn on your right ear looks like it's still sore," Hermione said.

"It will heal, it will," Winky responded. "Miss... miss... Winky would like to ask..."

"Yes?"

"Winky and the other house elfs would like to ask Miss Hermione and her friends to eat dinner in the kitchens tonight to see if the food what we has practiced making in the new cookers is done right."

"I don't see why not," Hermione answered. "I'll speak to Harry and Ron. I think Ron's sister might like to come also. Would that be alright?"

"Oh yes, miss. We is also inviting Mr. Finch-Fletchley."

"I'm glad you invited Justin also. What time should we be there?"

"Would Miss Hermione and her friends mind if we waits until after the regular dinner?"

"Not at all," Hermione answered. "That way you won't have to be serving people in two different places."

They agreed on a time, and Winky hurried away.

Several hours later, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Justin all met in front of the still life painting that doubled as a kitchen door.

Ron's stomach was growling. "I hope there's plenty to eat. I'm starving!"

Hermione glared at him. "Honestly! Waiting another hour for dinner isn't going to kill you!"

Harry tickled the green pear in the painting, and it turned into a door handle. He opened the door and held it as everyone else entered the kitchen.

It looked as if nearly the entire elf staff of Hogwarts was assembled there, and the air was full of delicious smells. The new AGAs seemed to be covered with pots and kettles of every shape and size.

"Harry Potter!" another now-familiar voice squealed, then continued "Mr. Wheezy, Miss Grainer, Miss Wheezy, Mr. Flinchley! Thank you for coming!"

This time Dobby didn't try to hug Harry to death, but he did bow very low. "Please come this way, misses and sirs," he said.

Dobby led them to an exquisitely-laid table. The damask tablecloth, silverware and dishes were of the highest quality, and very old. Before any of them could even try to pull out a chair, an elf had done so already.

"Hello Stinky," Justin said to the little elf who had handled his chair. "How are you tonight?"

"Stinky is very well, thank you, Mr. Justin sir."

Everyone at the table looked around, not sure of what to expect next. Suddenly there was a flurry of activity. Oven doors on the AGA cookers were pulled open, huge platters of food were carried out of the pantry, and several wheeled serving carts approached the table.

To say that the elves had been "practicing" with the AGAs was a major understatement, because it now looked as if they had prepared virtually every dish they knew of. There were several kinds of soup, stews, roast turkey, ham, and beef, potatoes prepared in different ways, Yorkshire pudding, beef Wellington, vegetables of all types, meat pies, bread in numerous forms, pasta, and even some American foods like hamburgers and hot dogs.

There was such a quantity of food that nobody could eat more than a bite or two of each kind. The elves had even found a recipe for Brussels sprouts that Ron would tolerate. However, one thing was evident through the vast amount of food; it had all been superbly prepared, and in a few cases, even better than before.

"Would sir like to try this turkey?" Tilly asked Ron.

Ron took a slice, and asked for a second after he had eaten it. "It's VERY good," he said.

Tilly beamed up at him. "Tilly is cooking it without even having to stand in front of a hot fire!"

Dobby kept urging Harry to try everything, and after endless courses, even the three boys felt full to the bursting point. A/N: That would be quite an accomplishment, as anyone with experience feeding teenage boys can attest.

The elves cleared the table and carried many serving trays and dishes away. Then, they re-set the table, causing puzzled glances between the students.

An instant later, more trays and platters were being rushed to the table, this time laden with cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, puddings, and many other desserts.

Much, much later, the five students managed to get unsteadily to their feet as dozens of little elves gathered around them. "That was the best meal I've ever eaten at Hogwarts," Harry said. "Actually, it's the best meal I've ever eaten ANYWHERE!"

Little high-pitched titters ran through the crowd, and the elves beamed up at him with expressions of delight on their faces.

"Would Harry Potter and his friends like to take some food with them when they leave?" Dobby asked.

"Oh, yes, alright...." Harry said a little uncertainly.

Instantly they were mobbed by elves pushing food of all kinds into their arms. Slowly the students made their way towards the door, where they stopped to thank the elves again.

"Sirs and Misses is most welcome!" Came the squeaking reply of many elf voices.

Stinky ran ahead and held the door for them. "Please visit us again soon!" he squeaked.

Professor Dumbledore seemed to be waiting in the entry hall. His eyes twinkled as he asked "how was everything?"

"Wonderful," Hermione said. "It really didn't take them long to learn to use the new cookers!"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled even more. "Then hopefully the rest of the school will receive the benefit in a few days."

He bid them goodnight and walked towards his office.

"What are we going to do with all this food?" Ginny asked.

"Take it to the tent and share it," Ron said.

"But that's not fair," Ginny said. "There are four of us Gryffindors and only Justin from Hufflepuff. Justin, would you mind if I came with you to drop this food off at your tent?"

"Not at all," Justin said. "I'd actually appreciate it very much."

A short time later the group split, with Ron, Hermione, and Harry headed toward the Gryffindor tent, and Justin and Ginny headed towards the Hufflepuff tent.

Their arrival at the Gryffindor tent caused a feeding frenzy, even though everyone had already had dinner. Ginny arrived a few minutes later, and stood with her brother and friends as they watched everyone eat.

"I don't know what you all did tonight, but this is a LOT better than we've ever managed to get from the kitchens!" Fred Weasley said.

Having lost all interest in food for the time being, Harry and his friends moved to chairs in a corner of the tent.

Hermione said "we've really got to do something for Dobby and Winky. I think at least some of us would be dead if it wasn't for them."

Harry answered carefully, conscious of the fact that Ron and Ginny didn't have much money. "They can always use clothes. Maybe we can get Dobby to wear something that's a little less outrageous than what he has now."

Hermione said "I've been thinking about doing some work with sewing charms for extra credit, and we could make something for Winky. Would you like to join me on that, Ginny?"

Ginny thought it was a very good idea, and shortly the two girls were deep in conversation, though the last person in the world to need extra credit was Hermione Granger.

Ron asked Harry "what about Dobby?"

"I was thinking about maybe getting him some more shorts and matching shirts," Harry said.

"No socks?" Ron asked.

"Maybe you could get him some," Harry said.

Ron seemed to like that idea.

The food had made them all sleepy, so they called it an early night and headed to different parts of the tents.

At breakfast the next day the usual flight of owls swooped into the large tent, but Errol and Pigwidgeon created quite a spectacle as they flew unsteadily in, carrying a lumpy package between them. They dropped the package in Ron's lap and Errol collapsed onto the table while Pigwidgeon flew around in circles twittering happily. Finally Ron was able to grab "Pig" and send him to the owlery. A few drops of orange juice helped Errol to recover somewhat, and after he had eaten a little, he also headed for the owlery and a much-needed rest.

"What's in the package?" Hermione asked.

Ron ripped the brown wrapping paper open and found two very small sweaters with matching stocking caps and mufflers, as well as several mismatched socks in vivid colors.

"What in the world....?" Ron muttered. "Here's Mum's letter. She says the blue sweater with the white 'W' on it is for Winky. The red one with the green 'D' on it is for Dobby."

"It was very nice of her to do that for them," Hermione said, secretly rejoicing that Ron and Ginny now had gifts for the elves they wouldn't have to spend their meager funds on.

Before they could say any more, Professor Dumbledore announced that there would be a feast on the upcoming Saturday to celebrate restoration of the Great Hall, and completion of repairs to the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff quarters. He also said that it would be a Hogsmeade weekend, and the applause and cheering were deafening.

When things had calmed down, Harry said "things will be pretty quiet Sunday afternoon. Do you think that would be a good time to give Dobby and Winky their presents?"

"I think so," Hermione said. "Winky once told me that Dobby usually spends Sunday afternoons with her, so we can probably catch them both at once. It should also give us enough time to put something together, plus we can go shopping on Saturday."

A little later that day, Hedwig soared out of the owlery, but she didn't have a very long flight. In just a couple minutes, she dropped off a letter at Gladrags Wizardwear in Hogsmeade.

It was very difficult for the students to get through the rest of the week, anticipating both the re-opening of the Great Hall and a Hogsmeade weekend. Hermione actually managed to lighten up on her studying some, as she and Ginny worked on their sewing charms.

At last Saturday arrived, and a final breakfast was eaten in the large tent. A short while later, mobs of students descended on Hogsmeade, and mobs of elves went to work in and around the castle.

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny wandered into the village, taking their time and stopping at several shops. They loaded up on sweets at Honeydukes, then moved towards Gladrags Wizardwear.

Madame Zorina was just finishing with one sale as they entered the shop, so everyone took a couple minutes to look at the merchandise.

Madame Zorina said "I'll be right back, Mr. Potter," as she ducked into the back room. She came back a couple minutes later with her arms full.

"I hope these will be alright," she said as she started to lay things out on the counter.

One look was enough to tell everyone that Harry had gone all-out this time. There were seven pairs of shorts-- red, green, blue, pink, orange, maroon, and yellow. With each pair were two matching shirts, one with long sleeves, and one with short. The shirts all had "Dobby" embroidered on the pockets.

"Everything looks great to me," Harry said, a little uncomfortable at making such a large purchase in front of his friends. He was very glad when Madame Zorina started to wrap it all up, and Ron wandered away to look at socks.

Harry paid as discreetly as he could, and was picking up the packages when Ron came to the counter with two ties; one mustard yellow, and one neon pink with little lights that twinkled on and off.

"You forgot ties," Ron said.

"Glad you remembered them then," Harry answered.

Hermione and Ginny had picked out a small shoulder bag for Winky (A/N: I'm just an ignorant male, and an old one at that-- is this what you still call a purse with a long shoulder strap?), which they brought to the counter just as Ron was paying for the ties.

A few minutes later everyone stepped back out onto the street, their arms full of packages. "I think I could do with a butterbeer," Ron said.

"That sounds like a VERY good idea," Harry said, then led the way to The Three Broomsticks.

They slipped into the busy pub and scouted for an empty table. They spotted one along a side wall and sat down around it.

"Good afternoon!" a sqeaking voice said. "Nobby is so happy to see Harry Potter and his friends today!"

Nobby looked very smart in her little black skirt with a white blouse and matching apron. Her name was embroidered on the front of her blouse.

"What can Nobby get for you?" she asked.

Everyone ordered butterbeer, and Ron asked for a plate of cakes also.

A few minutes later Nobby returned with their order on a tray. As she set it on the table, Harry and Ron both started to reach into their pockets.

Nobby saw what they were doing and said "there is no need for that. Mistress is saying this is 'on the house.'"

"That was very nice of her," Hermione said.

"Mistress is saying she is owing you her life, Miss."

"Well, I'm not sure I'd go THAT far," Harry said. "I seem to remember three elves who helped out a lot that night!"

"Harry Potter is very kind!" Nobby said as she beamed up at him.

"Nobby, this is for you," Ron said as he handed her five bronze knuts.

"Mistress is said there is no paying required," Nobby squeaked.

"No Nobby," Ron said. "This is called a 'tip.' It's for you to keep yourself, and given as a sign of appreciation for good service."

Nobby's eyes, so much like Dobby's, opened wide. "Nobby has heard of this tipping before, but did not understand what it was. Thank you, sir!"

Nobby dropped a curtsey, then hurried off to serve other customers.

"There's another elf learning what freedom's all about," Harry observed.

Some time later, the four students walked back towards Hogwarts. They were a little surprised to see the big tents and outdoor cooking areas completely gone; everything looked normal again, though they did notice a steam fire engine similar to the one owned by the Hogsmeade Fire Brigade parked in the courtyard.

Inside, they approached the Gryffindor portrait hole. The fat lady was back on the job after having fled her frame during the fire, then waiting until Filch restored it again. "Password?" she asked.

"Nobody's told us," Hermione said.

Fortunately, at that moment Katie Bell came through from the other side and they were able to ask her.

"Fire Goblins," Ron said. The portrait swung up, and they all climbed through the hole.

The common room looked almost exactly like it had before, though most everything looked a bit newer, and everyone was amazed that the dormitories seemed to be the same also. However, a closer look showed that all things were not quite exactly the same. All the Gryffindor Tower windows were now equipped with iron shutters that could be instantly closed. There seemed to be fire extinguishers everywhere, in addition to fire hoses permanently connected to standpipes at strategic locations. Emergency "escape brooms" in glass cases were now located near many windows and at the top of each tower.

At dinnertime the Great Hall looked magnificent with immaculate white table cloths and glittering gold dishes on the tables, though even here there were iron shutters and fire hoses. Thousands of candles and multi-colored fairies twinkled overhead, giving an even more festive look.

Dumbledore welcomed everyone to the newly-restored hall, and detailed the new safety features that had been put into place. He also explained that Hogwarts now had its own fire engine and that a volunteer fire brigade of students and staff would be organized shortly.

Finally, he said "I should also warn you against trying to use the escape brooms for any other purpose than what they were provided for. Breaking the glass will cause an extremely loud scream that can be heard throughout the entire castle. Now, in conclusion, I say tuck in!"

Immediately everyone's plates filled with food, and it was apparent that the house elves had outdone themselves with their cooking. Many who thought that Hogwarts food couldn't get any better quickly learned that it had.

Much later as they slowly made their way to the Gryffindor Tower Ron muttered "if we keep on eating like this, everyone will have to go on a diet!"

Everyone slept late the next morning, but by 2:00 that afternoon Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were gathered in a small group in their common room. "Do we have everything?" Hermione asked.

It appeared that they did, and arms full of boxes and packages, they walked towards the hospital wing. Everything there was quiet, and Ron knocked on Winky's door. It opened instantly.

"Mister Ron!" Winky said in surprise. Then seeing everyone else, she asked "can Winky help sirs and misses? Is you sick or hurt?"

"We'd like to speak to you and Dobby if you don't mind, Winky," Hermione said.

"Winky is not minding at all. She is honored that you have all come to visit her!"

She held the door open as everyone trooped in. Not for the first time some of the tricks of Hogwarts were manifested -- the elf-sized room now seemed to accommodate the two elves and four humans with no crowding.

Dobby jumped excitedly to his feet squeaking "good afternoon sirs and misses! What can Dobby do for you?"

"Dobby," Hermione said, "we don't need you to do anything for us right now, but we HAVE brought you and Winky a few things."

The elves' huge eyes became even larger. "You is bringing things for Dobby and Winky?" Dobby asked.

With a squeak of frustration at her own lapse in manners, Winky said "please sit down, sirs and misses!" Then she scurried across the room to put the tea kettle over the fire.

Ron and Harry decided the safest place for them to sit was on the edge of the bed, while Hermione and Ginny perched on the arms of the easy chairs.

As she handed Dobby and Winky each a soft package, Ginny said "these are from our mum."

Dobby immediately began to tear the paper rapidly, while Winky worked more slowly, her big brown eyes open wide with wonder.

Dobby's squeal of delight almost rattled the window when he discovered the new sweater. Instantly he pulled off his maroon sweater and put on the red one, his eyes filling with tears of happiness and gratitude.

Winky was equally delighted, but was a bit more demure as she went to her mirror, holding the sweater up to see how it looked on her. Ginny showed both elves the stocking caps and mufflers that matched the sweaters.

"Mistress... Mistress Wheezy is even a far kinder and greater witch than Dobby realized, making such beautiful sweaters! She is too good to Dobby and Winky!"

Ron and Ginny then handed the elves two more packages.

"There is more?" Winky asked in amazement, but she was delighted with the purse Ginny and Hermione picked out. Dobby was frantically pulling off his old tie so he could replace it with the new pink one with twinkling lights.

"Oh thank you, thank you!" Dobby squeaked as tears of happiness streamed down his face.

Winky's eyes were a little watery also, but she maintained her composure as the said "thank you very much, sirs and misses!"

"Uh..." Harry said a little uncertainly, "we have a couple more things."

Both elves stared at him in utter disbelief.

Hermione set the box she had brought on the floor in front of Winky. "Ginny and I made these for you, Winky."

Winky seemed to be in near-shock, but she carefully opened the flaps of the box. She remained speechless as she pulled out several T-shirts, two pairs of jeans, a little red dress, a blue and white plaid skirt that matched her new sweater, two more skirts, and four blouses.

She stared at everyone with her huge brown eyes. "All for... for Winky??" she finally was able to say.

"Yes, all yours," Hermione answered.

At this point Winky's efforts to maintain her composure finally broke down, and she burst into tears of happiness almost as noisily as Dobby had. Tears streaming down the sides of her tomato-shaped nose, she ran to hug Ginny, then Hermione. Hermione stood up with Winky still in her arms and held her for a couple minutes.

When Hermione set her back down, she had managed to regain some control. "Winky is never knowing such kindness," she squeaked. "Thank you, thank you so much!"

With Winky calmed down somewhat, Harry handed Dobby two more packages. The usually-verbose elf was at a loss for words as he began to tear the wrapping paper. He squealed in delight when he found the red pair of shorts, but became suddenly silent as he pulled out the other six.

"Harry... Harry Potter is much too good to Dobby!" he finally said, looking at the green shorts in one hand and the orange pair in the other.

"Open the other package," Harry said.

When Dobby unwrapped the package of shirts, then held up one shirt, then another in stunned silence. His fingers traced his name embroidered on the pocket of a maroon shirt as he looked around the room with his green tennis ball-sized eyes. Suddenly it was as if the Bonneville Dam had burst. A/N: I live in the Pacific Northwest, and realize most of you probably don't know what the Bonneville Dam is, but take my word for it... it's a BIG dam and it would wipe out numerous towns and cities if it ever burst.

Almost wailing in happiness with floods of tears splashing everywhere, Dobby ran around the room and hugged everyone several times. "Goodness and such greatness Dobby is never known!" he squealed.

Harry became alarmed that Dobby was working himself into a frenzy, and managed to grab the elf and put him on the bed. Dobby sat sobbing tears of joy and hiccuping very much like he had when he first met Harry in his room at the Dursley's.

With Dobby finally calmed down somewhat, Hermione said "alright you three. Out you go."

"What?" Ron said.

"Out. We have to help Winky try on her new clothes. We'll tell you when you can come back in." With that, the three males were rather unceremoniously ejected from the room.

Ron pulled the curtain around a vacant bed, and they laid Dobby's new clothes out on it. Dobby eagerly pulled off his sweater and shorts so he could begin trying them on. On the first try he put on the pink shorts and an orange shirt. With difficulty Harry and Ron were able to get him to at least partially understand that some colors were alright with other colors, but some definitely were not. They further explained that the simplest thing to do was to wear a shirt that was the same color as the shorts.

Finally, Dobby put on the red shorts, a short-sleeved red shirt, and his new red sweater. For the first time he had a proper collar, and the mustard-yellow tie didn't look too bad with the outfit.

A moment later Ginny opened the door and said "you can come in now."

Winky was wearing her new blue sweater with the blue plaid skirt. When they saw each other, both elves stopped in their tracks.

Dobby squeaked "Winky is very pretty in her new outfit!"

Winky blushed and squeaked back "Dobby is very handsome in HIS new outfit!"

After a few seconds Winky remembered herself. "Please sit down, sirs and misses," she said as she went to get the tea kettle from the fireplace, and in a few minutes she had served everyone tea and cakes.

It was late afternoon when they finished their tea, and Dobby would be expected back in the kitchens shortly. As the students prepared to go, they were again showered with hugs and profuse thanks from both elves. Dobby and Winky stood at the door holding hands and waving with their free hands until they had left the hospital wing.

Everyone walked in silence for a short distance, and Ron was the first to speak. "If I ever get near Lucius Malfoy, I think I'll strangle him with my bare hands!"

"What?!" Hermione answered.

Ron went on. "You should have seen Dobby when we were helping him with his new clothes. There were scars all over his back, and even on his little bum!"

"If you do get your hands on Malfoy, I'll help you strangle him," Hermione said.