Chapter 7: Getting Started
The previous day's events had intrigued Harry. Although he felt remarkably uncertain about speaking to Remus about his intentions, he was happy that his former professor didn't try to stop him – or treat him like a child. It was still an internal struggle for Harry to make decisions for himself, particularly as most decisions he made necessarily affected so many others. More often than not he found himself thinking that he would have to consult Dumbledore, or even Hermione and Ron, about what they thought he should do. The internal argument was never ending.
You can't make these decisions because you don't know enough to make the right choice.
But these decisions have to be my own. Is there really a right or wrong choice?
There may not be a right or wrong choice, but there are definitely choices that are more right or wrong. How can I presume to know what is right and wrong for anyone, including myself. Everything that has to do with me will have consequences. I really should talk to someone and find out what they think.
But why can't I think things out for myself? How much more can be known besides the obvious dangers that Voldemort and his Death Eaters present? Besides trusting to others has still lead to consequences. If I'm going to do this I have to know more, how many times has my hero complex gotten someone hurt or killed?
But how can I know more if no one is willing to tell me? Maybe it's best that I trust the order's guidance. Just ask more questions.
Why would they tell me anymore now? It doesn't matter. I have to ensure that I can't be used again, not by Voldemort – not by anyone.
After several variations of these drawn out arguments Harry always came to the same agreements. He would have to know more in order to make decisions, and he needed to ensure that he couldn't be manipulated any longer.
After his discussion with Remus, Harry was ready to speak to Dobby and Winky again. He didn't want disturb Mrs. Figg again, but without Hedwig back from Hermione's he was without any other choice. Then again, there was always his invisibility cloak. Setting his mind to the idea that Hedwig could still be waiting for Hermione's response, and wouldn't be bothering his friend to hurry, Harry donned his cloak and made for Mrs. Figg's.
A few minutes later and without any disasters Harry found himself at the front door of Mrs. Figg's home. He knocked a couple of times, and when Mrs. Figg opened the door to answer, he slipped into the house. Harry knew this was how he was going to get into the house, but now that he here he wasn't sure how to announce his presence without giving the old lady a heart attack.
Harry waited for the lady to shut the door and turn around. In his most unthreatening and soft voice Harry said, "Mrs. Figg"
The women jumped a bit, but didn't quite lose all the color in her face. "Is…is somebody there?"
"Yes Mrs. Figg, it's me Harry." He removed the invisibility cloak from his head, leaving only the image of it floating in mid air. He noticed that this caused the rest of the blood to leave the old lady's face. "I'm terribly sorry if I've frightened you again, it's just that…" Harry felt like he was abusing an emergency service again. "…well Hedwig is gone, and I would really like to contact someone."
Some of the color returned to Mrs. Figg's face. "Good grief boy, if you're going to keep scaring me half to death every time you need to fire-talk, I'm afraid I won't make it through the summer. And I told you to please call me Arabella, I dare say that if you had done so I might have managed to maintain a bit of composition. Now have a seat and I will get you some tea and sandwiches." The shaky women immediately left the room.
In what seemed an unusually short amount of time the women was back with her standard tray full of sandwiches and pitcher of tea. Not wanting to further upset the lady Harry graciously accepted the food and drink and waited for her to say something.
"Well are you going to use the fireplace or not?" Mrs. Figg said.
"Sorry, I didn't want to be rude." Harry explained.
"Well you nearly scared me to death with that cloak trick of yours, were you thinking that you might be able top that?"
Harry really saw no way to make the situation any better so he headed over to the fireplace and grabbed some floo powder. "Hogwarts Kitchen!"
Harry watched the image of the kitchen appear in front of him. Unlike last time he saw them, now there were several elves busy with various tasks. "Um excuse me, but could you please inform Dobby and Winky that I would like to speak to them."
Several of the house elves were startled when by Harry's voice from the fire. They were not comforted when they heard a wizard addressing them with terms such as 'excuse me' and 'please'. A short plump elf who was stirring something at the stove, popped out of the room while the rest of the elves just stared anxiously at Harry. An instant later there were three pops and four large eyes in front of Harry's nose.
Again the sudden proximity of the elves startled him and Harry lurched back slightly. "Good grief Dobby, if you are going to work for me than you have to stop popping in front of my face like that when we fire-talk." Harry looked around at the other elves who inconspicuously returned to whatever task there were doing.
"Dobby is most aggrieved sir!" Harry recognized the look on Dobby's face as the elf searched for something to beat himself with.
"Dobby didn't I tell you that if you work for me that I don't want you punishing yourself for no reason?" Harry said.
"Dobby remembers yes, but Dobby is thinking that scaring his master is reason enough for punishment." Dobby said.
"Winky is agreeing Master Potter, Dobby isn't remembering how a proper house elf behaves." Winky said.
Harry sighed, "Scaring me unintentionally is not a good reason to punish yourself. I really can't think of a good reason for you to punish yourself. Let's just say that if you are working for me you will not punish yourself."
Dobby gave an embarrassed but grateful smile as the rest of the house elves in the kitchen, most notably Winky gave exasperated gasps.
"Winky is thinking that Master Potter would not want Winky as his house elf, sir."
Harry understood the elf's conflict but wasn't ready to deal with this now, as he didn't want to use Mrs. Figg's fireplace for any longer than he had to. "Winky I don't think that you are ever going to disobey me or do anything to my disliking, so I doubt that you will ever have to restrain yourself from punishment. I would very much like you to join Dobby, and I need to be going. So if you both could please join me here at Mrs. Figg's I need to leave."
Harry heard a pan drop and saw every elvish eye in the kitchen turn to him, but he didn't wait for comment and just pulled his head out of the fire. As Harry turned and exited the flame Mrs. Figg's face was almost as shock filled as the ones he just left behind.
"Exactly what was it that you were doing fire-talking in the kitchen at Hogwarts Harry?" Mrs. Figg interrogated.
Before Harry could answer two pops were heard and Dobby, in all his multi-colored sock glory, and Winky appeared between Harry and Mrs. Figg. For the second time that day Harry thought that the old lady was going to faint, he was positive at this point that his welcome was over extended.
Before the old lady could gather her thoughts Harry spoke. "Thank you again for letting me use your fire place Mrs. Figg." Harry started walking to the front door and motioned for the elves. "I promise that I won't be bothering you any more this summer and I'm sorry for imposing on you like this." Hoping to continue his quick get away Harry leaned down to the elves, "You two will have to meet me over at my house, Dobby knows where it is, go straight to my room and remain there quietly until I arrive, now go." Looking back up to Mrs. Figg who was still at a loss for words. "Thank you again, the sandwiches were delicious, bye now." Harry turned and opened the front door as he donned his cloak.
"Harry." Mrs. Figg yelled behind him.
Nervously Harry stopped, "Would you please call me Arabella!" Mrs. Figg said.
"Yes ma'am" Harry replied as he turned and shut the door behind him.
Walking away he heard a muffled yell through the door. "Ma'am is worse than Mrs. Figg, my name is Arabella!" A couple of cats scurried beneath some bushes at the sound of the old lady's screaming.
The scene in Harry's bedroom would have been funny if the setting wasn't inside the Dursley household. Dobby was jumping up and down on Harry's bed with a look of pure joy in his eyes. Winky was scurrying about the bed, with a handful of Harry's dirty cloths, scolding Dobby for being a disgrace of a house elf, and Hedwig was flying frantically around the room in horror from the unexpected guests.
Harry heard the commotion as soon as he entered the house and ran up the stairs to put an end to it. Unfortunately for Hedwig, Harry flung the door inward to his room right as the owl was flying past it. With a loud thud that startled Harry, the poor bird collided with the door and fell in a flurry of feathers to the floor. All movement in the room stopped abruptly; Dobby looked like he was floating in mid-bounce, and one of Harry's socks fell off the elf's ear as he landed back on the bed. Winky stood frozen hoping to hide behind the too small pile of clothes she had gathered from the bedroom floor.
The tension of the moment was broken by the indignant hoots from Hedwig as she gathered herself from the mid air collision. Harry recognized the pile of white feathers behind his door and quickly went to his friend's aid.
"Hedwig! Are you alright girl?" Harry said.
The bird recognized Harry and quickly flew to his shoulder. She gave several disapproving shrills at the two house elves which made both the scared little figures cringe. "It's alright girl, they're here to help us out." Harry received his own shrill of disapproval from the bird. "I'm sorry girl, they aren't staying here with us, I just have to give them some instructions before they go to Grimmauld Place." This soothed the owl and she held out her leg for Harry to take the attached letter. "It's good to have you back Hedwig." Harry received an affectionate nip before the bird flew back to its cage.
Harry examined the letter and then sat down at the edge of his bed. "Now you two please come over here so that I can talk with you." Both elves scurried in front of Harry. "I need to explain some things before you are off to Grimmauld Place. I'm not sure if you are able to see unplottable and hidden houses, but arrangements have been made to accept you into Number 12 Grimmauld Place in London. This is my home and is where I would like for you to work for me. If you are not able to find the location then you will have to seek out Professor Dumbledore who will help you."
"House elves is able to see these things if their masters is wanting them to." Dobby replied.
"As you are both free elves you will not be bonded to servitude with me or my family, I am offering you to work for me for pay." Harry looked at Winky as she cringed. "And I will require that you each find a suitable bedroom in the house for yourselves. The rooms will be yours and you may decorate and furnish it to your likings."
Winky was shuttering at this point. "Winky I understand that this is hard for you to accept, but if it makes you feel better, if you worked for me under different conditions I would be very displeased." Harry said. The terrified elf stopped shaking a little.
Harry continued, "There is another elf currently at this house of whom I am not ready to speak of. He is despicable and I will deal with him when I arrive. Amongst much worse things, he has allowed the house to fall into disrepair and I am hoping that you two will fix that. I will ask that the two of you not speak with or bother this elf. If in any way he prevents you from your work you have my permission to deal with him in whatever way you see fit. He cannot leave the house and he cannot be freed – I'm sorry."
The elves continued to stand in attentive silence and nodded when Harry paused to see if they understood.
"This house is also the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. You must never tell anyone about the location of this house, or anything that is said within that house without asking me first. There will be many people who come in and out of this house; none of them are your masters. You may help them as much or little as you want so long as it does not interfere with any specific requests I have for you. I'm sure that your help will be very appreciated by everyone there."
Harry took a deep breath and considered his next thought. "I see you both as free elves and despite what you may think of that Winky, it makes me very happy to know that you are free. Since you are not bound to me I must trust that you will not say or do anything that will betray me or The Order of the Phoenix. I consider both of you as my friends and equals, just as I consider Hedwig, Ron, or Hermione. You will never be asked to do anything that you do not want to and are free to request anything from me that will help make you happy. All you have to do is ask."
Harry looked at Dobby who was crying but seemed to be overjoyed, and then looked at Winky who was balling with shame. Harry turned to the upset elf. "Winky look at me. Your work for me will be no different than for your former master. The only difference will be the terms for which you are obligated to do that work. I understand that you take pride in serving your family and nothing is preventing you from taking that same amount of pride with me. The only difference is that you will be recognized for your good work and appreciated. I couldn't live with myself if it were any other way." Harry smiled as he watched the elf calm. "I promise that when you see the amount of work that is needed at Grimmauld Place you will be too busy to focus on these concerns." Winky cracked a smile for the first time that day.
"Last few things then." Harry said with renewed hope. "Both of you will receive double what you were earning at Hogwarts." Both elves looked up in protest and Harry thought quickly for an excuse to make them accept his terms, "My best friend Hermione will never forgive me if I don't do this, please accept the pay as a favor to me." The elves looked reluctant but defeated. "I need the two of you to alternate checking in with me here once a day until I move there with you. I am going to need you to bring me various things from the household and other places while I am here. Please when you come here make sure that you are not seen or heard under any circumstance."
Harry thought for a second and then looked down at the letter in his hands. "Is there a way that I can contact you when you are at Grimmauld Place and I am here?"
Dobby face lit up with a bright smile and then he snapped his fingers. The sound of a slight crack of magic mixed with the sound of Dobby's fingers snapping. "Master Harry Potter is only needing to call for Dobby or Winky and they will be coming right away!"
"Excellent Dobby that will be a great help to me!" Harry said. The small elf almost burst with joy. "Okay are there any questions?"
"Winky is cleaning this house as well sir?" Winky asked.
"That won't be necessary Winky, muggles live here and they do not know about elves." Is there anything else?"
Both elves shook their heads. "Good. Thank you both for agreeing to help me. Please head to Grimmauld Place and get yourselves situated, I will see one of you tomorrow."
With two pops the elves disappeared. Harry wondered if he was doing the right thing for them, but found assurance when he looked at the letter in his hand and knew how pleased Hermione would be with the terms he got the elves to work under. He opened the letter and began reading.
Dear Harry,
I was surprised to see Hedwig arrive, as there was no way for you to know that I was not out of the country with Victor. I have to assume that you forgot his invitation to me to join him for the summer. I chose not to go so that I could keep up with everything that is happening here.
I am glad to hear that you are doing well. I was quite upset when I heard that you sent Hedwig away. Did you think about how you would be unable to contact anyone if anything went wrong? But I figured that the order was watching over you so it really didn't matter. It's nice to know that you are eating dinner with your aunt and uncle, maybe this will be a way for you to reach them on a friendlier basis.
Since receiving your letter I have asked my parents if it would be possible to visit you in Wisteria. If you're actually offering to open up about something I want to get to you before you change your mind. Please send Hedwig back letting me know when I can phone you and schedule a time for us to meet.
I'm sorry to say that I haven't heard about any happenings. The Daily Prophet has mainly written about how to protect your home from attack and basic household defense tactics, rubbish the lot of it. If I hear anything I promise I will fill you in as soon as possible. The order has people regularly patrolling here so I might be able to get something out of them.
Harry, I really hope that we do not allow the distance to grow between us again this summer. You are so important to me and I really hate that I can't be there for you while you're dealing with everything. You can call me anytime you want, and if your aunt and uncle will allow it I'd really like to come see you.
Please know that nobody blames you for what happened. If it weren't for you the Ministry might never have admitted that Voldemort was back.
I miss you,
Hermione
P.S. I'll have you know that I haven't scored perfect on every test I've taken you prat. Besides, I doubt that I got an O on the Astronomy exam, I had only just started to check my work when the fighting broke out. Do you think that they are going to make concessions when they grade it?
P.P.S. Even Ginny Weasley can't protect you if I were to put my mind to properly scolding you (don't tell her I said that).
Harry folded the letter and set it down. He set himself to grab some parchment and a quill to write Hermione when a mischievous smile grew on his face. He looked up from his parchment,
"Winky!"
Not but a few seconds later the familiar pop of the house elf came. Winky was standing in front of Harry with water all down the front of her rag and a smudge of dirt on the corner of her face.
"Master Harry Potter is calling for Winky sir?"
"Yes, I would like you to do me a favor if you have a moment." The house elf cringed at the politeness of the question.
"Winky is doing whatever Master Harry Potter sir is telling her." The small elf squeaked.
"Well first off I would like you to call me Harry. I would also like you to deliver a message for me."
"A message…Harry sir?"
"Yes, if it is possible I would like for you to go Hermione Granger's house and tell her that she can phone me any time during the day after 10:00 in the morning and before 4:00 in the afternoon, and as soon as she gets the chance I would like her to visit me."
Harry paused and assessed the elf in front of him. "Winky" Harry said tentatively.
"Yes Master Harry sir?"
"Would you mind if I gave you something else to wear? I think that Hermione would kill me if I let her see you dressed like that."
Harry cringed as the loud cries that he expected to hear from Winky echoed through his bedroom.
"Winky knew that Master Harry Potter sir is not wanting her…Winky is a terrible house elf…Nobody is wanting Winky as their servant." The elf managed through heaving cries.
"Winky it is not like that at all! I am very happy to have you helping me. You just don't understand Hermione, she was the student placing all the knitted hats and mittens around the Gryffindor Common Room last year. She'll kill me if I send you to her looking like that."
The tiny elf stifled a cry for a moment as a ray of hope passed over her.
"Please understand. You don't have to wear the clothes any longer than you want. When you get back from Hermione's you can take them off straight away!"
"If Master Harry Potter is insisting that Winky wear clothes Winky will obey master's wishes."
"I'm not giving them to you to be sent away, regardless of what you wear you will still work for me. You understand that right?" Winky nodded that she understood as she rubbed her eyes.
Harry ran from his room and grabbed one of Petunia's old dresses from her closet. He prayed that the woman wouldn't notice that it was missing. "Here Winky, try this, though you may want to shrink it down to your size. You can do that right?"
The elf nodded again and adorned the paisley printed dress which magically shrunk to fit the elf. "That's perfect Winky. You look very pretty in your new dress, did you know that?" Harry tried to encourage the fragile elf's emotions. Harry wasn't sure but he thought he saw a slight blush.
Without a word the elf popped out of sight. Harry's smile grew wider as he thought about Hermione's reaction to having a house elf pop in on her unexpectedly. He threw his legs up on his desk and stretched his hands behind his head reveling in the thought. Suddenly, there was a loud pop behind Harry.
From behind Harry a voice cried out, "Winky! What are you doing! What is this…"
Startled by the sound of an unexpected voice Harry hurled himself forward a little too fast. The chair teetered for a moment and then fell with a crash backwards to the bedroom floor. Up ended by the fall, Harry fumbled clumsily as he struggled to get to his feet.
"Harry? Oh my god – HARRY!"
Finally the young man managed to compose himself enough to turn around and figure out who was in his room. Standing in front of him was his best friend, the first girl he knew at Hogwarts, and the individual he had just sent Winky to speak to – wearing only a towel.
The mutual look of horror they held was only less remarkable than the sudden infusion of red color to both their faces. Harry looked the woman up and down which he instantly found out was a mistake.
"What are you…HARRY…you stop that…turn around this instant!" Hermione screamed as she reinforced the hold of the towel to her body by wrapping her arms around herself. "Winky! What did you do? Winky…get back here!"
The frightened elf scurried away from the frantic witch and hid in front of Harry was now facing away from the irate witch.
"Winky is most sorry Master Harry Potter Sir. Misses Hermione Granger is telling Winky that she wanted to see Master Harry Potter and she is thinking that since both of them is wanting to see each other Winky would please the Master by bringing Misses Hermione Granger back with Winky." Winky ran over to the desk and violently banged her head against it over and over.
"Winky! Harry fought with the small elf to stop the masochistic behavior. "WINKY! Stop that this instant, I told you that I did not want you doing that any longer."
The house elf struggled against Harry's restraints, "Master Harry Potter says that we is not to be punishing us if we is not deserving it. Winky is making Misses Hermione Granger mad at the master so she must punish herself."
"Winky?" Hermione called from behind Harry, "You didn't make me made at Harry." Hermione looked up and shot Harry a cold stare, "Harry is in trouble because of his own doings."
The shaken elf looked between the two friends and freed herself from Harry to stand defiantly in front of Hermione. "Misses Hermione Granger must not be mad at Master, Master is only telling Winky to deliver a message." The small elf huffed.
Harry looked reverently at the elf and then looked at Hermione with the most taunting smile he could muster. "Hermione, have you told Winky how pretty she looks in her new dress?" Harry said.
Hermione stared between the two figures and surrendered an unspoken defeat. "Winky I'm sorry for yelling at Harry," she sent Harry a quick hard glance, "I'm not mad at him. And you do look very pretty in your new dress."
Winky blushed a little brighter this time at her second compliment. "Master Harry Potter is giving Winky the dress. He is a most great and noble Wizard."
"You hear that Hermione, a most great and noble wizard." Harry didn't look to see the smug face his best friend returned.
Harry reached into his trunk and grabbed the jumper Mrs. Weasley gave him during his third year at Hogwarts along with a pair of sweatpants and handed them to Hermione.
"Thank you Winky, you may go now but I will be calling for you later to bring Hermione home." Harry said.
The elf disappeared and left a stern looking Hermione in its wake.
"Harry Potter you turn around this instant!" Hermione said.
Harry quickly obeyed the order but noticed that he could see Hermione changing in the reflection off of the partially closed window. He quickly blanched away from the image but for some reason had a hard time keeping his eyes averted.
"You can turn around now Harry."
He turned to face his friend and was quickly tackled into a tight embrace. Harry blushed a little having gone from just seeing the girl partially undressed to now being in such close contact with her. He returned the hug and noticed a slight tinge of red on her ears as well.
"What were you thinking sending Winky to my house without telling me?" Hermione said to scold Harry just as much as to break the awkward moment.
Still a bit embarrassed, Harry began rambling an explanation. "Sorry Hermione, I just got your letter today. I was going to send Hedwig back to you with another letter but I didn't want to send her out again so soon. And then after she got hit by the door…"
"Hit by the door!" Hermione interrupted.
"Yes – but she's okay! You see when Dobby and Winky got here from…"
"Dobby and Winky were here!"
"I hired them from Hogwarts to work for me at Grimm…"
"You hired them!" Hermione interrupted again but with a tinge of anger this time.
Harry tried to continue his poor attempt at an explanation but wasn't given the chance.
"Harry Potter how could you put two elves into your servitude. You should know better than anyone else that the enslavement of elves is an atrocious act. Elves are sentient beings just like witches and wizards, they should have the same right to freedom and to enjormmph…"
Harry covered Hermione's mouth with his hand before she could gather any more steam.
"Hermione, if you would let me finish and not interrupt I promise that I will explain everything!" The girl blushed realizing how she had gone instantly into a tirade.
Seeing the girl relax Harry began the difficult task of explaining everything that led up to the hiring of the elves and Winky's appearance at Hermione's house.
"Where to begin? Sirius sent me a…message a couple of days ago" Harry noticed Hermione's eyes grew wide and she motioned to interrupt again but caught herself. "well, a message was sent to me from Sirius I should say. The message had various things to say which got me thinking about a lot of things, things that particularly relate to…choices, choices that I have to start making in my life due to my…circumstances."
Harry was getting frustrated that he hadn't had time to prepare himself for this talk yet.
"What matters…well in regards to Winky and Dobby…Sirius left Grimmauld Place to me." For the second time Hermione had to restrain from interrupting. "Like I said, I have been spending a lot of time thinking about my choices. There are certain things that I think…I know I have to start changing. And Hedwig was at Grimmauld Place so I had to go to Mrs. Figg's house to fire-talk to Lupin and also to talk to Dobby because I wanted to hire him."
Harry stopped, he couldn't figure out how to explain everything to Hermione. He thought about just coming clean like he had to with Sirius and Remus but he wasn't sure if this was the right time to tell her everything. He had always anticipated that he would have this conversation with Ron, Ginny, and possibly even Neville and Luna around. He didn't want to lie but he was pretty confident that now was not the time to get everything out in the open.
Hermione recognized the familiar look of frustration on her best friend and feared that he would just give up. It appeared to her that talking about Sirius and the effects of what happened were hard for Harry. She felt an urgent need to encourage him before he gave up and went back to holding everything in.
"Harry, why don't you just explain to me about Dobby and Winky – for now." Hermione said.
Relieved that Hermione was willing to just accept an explanation for the recent events Harry started over. "Like I said, Sirius left Grimmauld Place to me. I decided that if I was going to be able to survive this summer I was going to need my own connection to all of you, I couldn't stand to wait here all summer without having any way of knowing what was going on. But also, I needed some way to be able to get things done this summer. Nobody has any idea what Voldemort, or the Order are up to, and with the owl post not being secure, well I needed another way."
Hermione nodded that she was following Harry even if he was still being a little cryptic.
"So I went over to Mrs. Figg's house in order to fire-talk with Remus and to contact Dobby. Remus wasn't there so I could only ask Dobby if he would be interested in working for me – for pay…for double the pay he was getting at Hogwarts." Harry made sure to add this in before his friend erupted into another lecture. The growing smile on Hermione's face assured him that he had gotten the intended effect.
"Dobby was excited, but he said that he couldn't leave Winky. I guess she is still struggling with her problem. So I hired Winky as well, at the same rate as Dobby, so that he could continue looking after her." Hermione was still smiling and Harry thought he would take this chance to butter up his friend a little more. "I got her to wear that dress today you know. She was still wearing dirty rags when she left Hogwarts." Hermione beamed at this.
"I couldn't officially hire Winky and Dobby until I spoke with Remus to make sure that Grimmauld Place was mine and to inform everyone that they would be coming. So Lupin came by today and we straightened everything out. Afterwards I called Winky and Dobby and brought them over here before sending them to Grimmauld Place – that's why they were here today."
"And why did Hedwig get hit with a door?" Hermione said.
"Well I didn't know that Hedwig was back and I sent the two elves here from Mrs. Figg's. You can imagine her surprise as she was resting in her cage and suddenly two elves pop in from nowhere. She was flying frantically around the room when I came in, and I must have opened the door right as she was flying by it."
"Harry!" Hermione scolded. From behind the girl Hedwig gave a resounding hoot.
"It's not like I knew she was there, with all the ruckus that was coming from Dobby bouncing on my bed and Winky scolding him I hardly had in mind to check to see if my owl, who I didn't know was here, might have been flying past my bedroom door!" Harry said this just as much to Hermione as he did to Hedwig.
"Well I hope she gave you a good scolding." Hermione said.
"Getting back to why Winky came to your place. As you know Hedwig had arrived sometime before I returned from Mrs. Figg's. I read your letter after sending the elves to Grimmauld Place and you asked me to get back with you about calling me." Harry donned a mischievous smirk, "I just thought that you would be excited to see Winky again and so I sent my reply through her."
"Harry Potter, you sent Winky to my house knowing that you would scare the wits out of me!" Hermione said.
"Now Hermione, why would I want to scare the wits out of you. If I wanted to do that I would have to send the entire Hogwarts elf staff, all the wits you got."
Hermione turned a little red at the taunt, but the fact that Harry was even smiling was such a relief to her that she decided she would just let it go. "Well I can't stay long, my parents don't know that I am gone and they would flip if they found out I was here."
"I'll call Winky back to bring you home."
"I don't have to go straight away, they won't be home for another hour or so." Hermione said.
"Good, with seeing Remus, Dobby and Winky I'm growing accustomed to having guests around." Harry said.
"So what is it that you wanted to discuss with me? You know, the stuff you mentioned in your letter." Hermione said.
After so badly evading this topic earlier Harry was hoping it wouldn't be the next thing to come up. "Oh, well it's really not all that important. I mean I haven't spoken with you for almost three weeks. There's tons of other stuff that we should catch up on." It was a fleeting effort, and Harry knew it.
"Harry it has only been three weeks, it's not like a lot can happen over that time period." Hermione countered.
Harry laughed as he thought back on all the rather interesting events that had already filled this day. "Apparently you haven't spent a day in the life of Harry Potter lately."
"What is that supposed to mean? Are you implying that I have a dull life? You know dentists do a lot of interesting things in a day's time. Just the other day mum was telling…"
"Hermione! My comment had nothing to do with your life being boring. Just with the house elves, and arguing with Remus, and then you popping in here, it's been an…eventful day is all." Harry interrupted.
"Oh. Sorry about that, it's been a bit hectic around the house, with the order there and all. My parents have been in a right state, asking all these questions about Hogwarts, and why I came home injured. I swear it's a miracle they haven't withdrawn me from school yet." Hermione stifled back a slight shudder as she thought about the situation.
Harry started to think about why Hermione had been hurt, and why she now had to suffer her parents questioning. The overwhelming guilt that had consumed him suddenly rushed back.
"Harry, don't do that! I will not sit here and watch you get that distant look in your eyes again. What happened was not your fault! I decided for myself to go to the Ministry and I don't regret it in the least. So please stop now…before you push me away again." Hermione said earnestly.
Harry's mind again started swirling around all the dark events that plagued his life. He felt the hopeless weight bearing down on him, but instead of retreating into the chasms of depression a surge of rebellion overcame him. He remembered Remus' words, how Voldemort had used him, had exploited the weakness of his magic and the love that he felt.
"Hermione, I need an Occlumency book. One that teaches how to perform Occlumency." Harry almost spat.
Hermione was a bit taken by the sudden change in topic. She was more stricken, however, by the enraged look now in Harry's eyes. Her mind began formulating the many different possibilities about why Harry couldn't learn Occlumency from a book. But her mouth only managed a simple, "Ok".
"You have a book that will help me." Harry said.
Hermione's sensibility managed to come back, "Of course Harry but…"
"Could you please send it back with Winky when she returns you to your home?" Harry interrupted.
Harry wasn't interested in a conversation any longer. He felt an overwhelming urge to go box with Dudley, or return to the pensieve and practice with Sirius. To do something before he exploded from the idleness of his situation. He must not have realized how he appeared, because when he looked up Hermione was almost cowering away from him.
"What's the matter Hermione? Are you ok?" Harry said urgently.
Hermione had been watching Harry intently to look for the familiar signs she recognized as Harry pulling away. She was determined not to let her best friend suffer again like he had last summer. But after his odd request for a book, an Occlumency book of all things, a change overcame Harry. A look that she had never seen before, it was then when she saw the flash in Harry's eyes. It was only for an instant but Hermione was sure that she saw his vibrant emerald green eyes flash to pure black. She couldn't be sure, it had only lasted for a second.
"Fine…I'm fine. Just worried that's all." Hermione said truthfully.
"You looked like you'd just failed a test." Harry said.
The jab managed to distract Hermione from her concern. "Would you stop it already with the test jokes. OWLs are going to be here within the next couple of weeks so save your taunts for then."
"Got the days marked on your calendar I bet." Harry continued.
"Anyways…are you really going to try to learn Occlumency from a book? You know it's really hard to learn without practical application."
"Well anything has got to better than having Snape breaking into my head."
Hermione couldn't disagree with that.
The two spent the rest of the hour talking about OWLs, what courses they might want to take when school started, and who the next DADA professor might be. Hermione started a conversation about Harry running the DA again, which gave Harry another thing to add to his crowded list of considerations.
When Hermione realized that they had spent over two hours talking she left with Winky in a panic, but thankfully remembered to return the elf with the Occlumency book she promised Harry.
AN: It is damn near impossible to write Dobby and Winky's dialect (there's got to be some formula Rowlings uses to make it sound perfect). Maybe that's why I'm not a big fan of this chapter. Let me know what you think. Thanks again for all the reviews.
I revised Chapter 1 based on noticed spelling errors and the poor flow of the chapter. It was really choppy and that annoyed me.
On a side note, I apologize for any other misspellings or grammatical errors. I hate it when authors spend so much time writing a fic and then don't do the same for proofing it. If you happen to find any errors and are compelled to point them out please do so. Nothing ruins the flow of a story more, in my opinion.
Kokaiana – Thanks. This fic is definitely heading in that direction, though Harry might not get a tattoo.
Beenieweenie – Sorry about the confusion over what Harry saw when he was looking at Mrs. Figg's cat. The fact that it was Mrs. Figg's cat was not important but rather the distinctions he was able to notice. It will be explained later. Thanks for your review.
Midnight – Thank you for all your reviews. I could respond to them all but let me just say that I pretty much agree with all you've offered. Thanks again.
Midknight made a good point about authors who update based on amount of reviews. I assure you that I'm not about that but I nonetheless do enjoy the reviews. If possible I will maintain updates on Wednesdays and Sundays but as I mentioned before that is ambitious.