Chapter 14 A New Arrival

AN: Big note before we start this chapter. This one might be a bit controversial with how I handle the Animagus transformation. When I read the books as a kid, the language they used when talking about becoming animagus made it sound to me as if a person decided what form they would take. Like they got to pick. That's why Sirius and James chose something large, to help manage Moony. And why Peter chose something small, because it would be easier since he wasn't as great a wizard (don't come for me that's what they said in the books not my opinion) and so that he could press the knot on the willow. Why Rita chose a small beetle, so that she could spy typically unnoticed.

I know typical Fannon is this elaborate process about finding your inner animal. Nothing against those stories, I've enjoyed many of them, but I'd like to stick to how I interpreted canon. The first part of this process will be touched on in this chapter. Please do not flock to the comments to tell me my interpretation is incorrect. It doesn't matter if it's not correct, it is how the mechanics will work in this story. This is just my interpretation. I know it's not common. It'll still be enjoyable (I hope). I've already set aside the animals I think our young hero's will choose, but feel free to drop your guesses and theories in the comments!

I apologize for the long break, this story is far from abandoned, my life is just much more busy than it was when I started posting. In fact this chapter isn't properly betaed, I hope you still enjoy it. And if you're still with me, happy reading! -Kay

After asking Sirius to remain upstairs until they could tell Neville about his innocence, Harry rushed down to meet them in the Foyer. They entered through the front door a few minutes later. Behind Hermione was a wide eyed Neville.

Upon seeing Harry, Neville returned the smile on Harry's face, and moved fully into the room. "Good to see you alive, Harry. This place is amazing. Thanks for having me."

"Of course, glad you're here. Let's go to the library and we can catch each other up," Harry suggested.

"I think you have a fair bit more to share, my summer's been dreadfully boring so far."

Harry chuckled and led the troop to the seating area in the library. The elves popped in with some light refreshments as everyone settled in. Unsure of where to begin, Harry looked to Hermione.

"You know you make everyone anxious when you share those looks," Neville blurted nervously.

Remus covered his snicker with a cough. Harry looked confused. "What do you mean?"

Neville shifted uncomfortably under Harry's bemused expression. "Well...It's just...us Gryffindors would notice when you and Hermione would share those looks, then you guys and Ron would run off. Then suddenly there's rumours of dragons, massive point losses, or awards for special services to the school...you know?"

Harry relaxed and smiled just as Remus exclaimed, "Dragons!?"

Hermione utilised the distraction to fill Remus in on the dragon that Hagrid had hatched and how they helped it get smuggled to Romania.

When the tale was over, the group seemed more relaxed, though Remus still seemed perplexed over their first year at Hogwarts. He muttered something about "fail to mention a dragon. How do you forget a bloody dragon." But they ignored him with small smiles.

They settled in and Harry decided to give Neville the cliff notes version of his summer. How he had already run away before the car had been blown up and, after he found out about it, he went into hiding here. How they decided if bad people were out to get Harry, he would take his studies seriously and form a summer study program.

They took him through their schedule and when they were done, offered for Neville to join them.

"I know it seems like a lot, and there's a bit more that happened that we will want to tell you about later, but for now, we would love to have you spend as much of the summer as you want here. I know more school might not sound like a fun way to spend the summer, but we still have fun in our down time and on the weekends. If you would rather be here for just that, I understand…" Harry trailed off.

Neville had grown silent and wide eyed as they had explained. He shook his head a bit as if to clear it. "I'm not the best wizard, but I would like to join you. I think I could use all the help I can get. Plus, it beats sitting at home alone to be honest." He paused for a moment looking uncomfortable. "Are you sure you want me here? I don't want to get in your way or hold you back."

"You're our friend. You're the only person, other than Ron, that even reached out to me from school. I don't think you'll be in the way at all. Is your Gran letting you stay?"

Neville nodded. "She said she would write when my uncle is feeling better, and we could go from there. So I would guess a few weeks at least."

"Perfect. Soo, do you mind bunking with me?" Harry asked in a wide grin.

"Nah, we can share a room again, it was Ron that did all the snoring." Nevile and Harry laughed while Hermione and Remus just smiled and rolled their eyes.

"Speaking of Ron, I'm waiting to hear back from him, but I think he and his brothers might be coming for the weekend, not this weekend, but next. I haven't had the chance to fill him in on everything yet, but it will be good to see him if he can make it."

Neville nodded. "He must have been in a right state. The wireless was pretty brutal there for a bit. I didn't want to believe you'd been in that explosion, but after a few days of hearing them talk about it, I was getting worried. I'm glad you're okay."

"Thanks mate. I wish I could have reached out sooner. I just didn't know if doing so would put you guys in danger."

Neville waved him off. "I understand. I'm happy to be here now."

The friends chatted for a while longer until the elves called them for dinner. They stood to follow when suddenly Harry stopped and called "Wait!" freezing everyone in their steps as they looked at him, alarmed.

"I'm so sorry but I skipped over one very important thing about an additional house guest." Harry sighed, as he realised Sirius would obviously be joining them for dinner.

Hermione smacked her forehead. "Of course, the news hasn't broken yet."

Neville looked from Harry to Hermione, clearly confused.

Remus realised what they meant and decided to take over. "No doubt you have heard of the recent breakout from Azkaban? Sirius Black? Harry and I had a meeting with Amelia Bones this week. Sirius Black is an innocent man and we have proof. We are hoping to have him cleared soon, but you should know he is staying here."

Neville's face had gone a bit pale. "You're sure? Notorious mass murderer, Sirius Black, is innocent?"

Harry nodded. "He is. My parents named him my godfather. He escaped when the guards showed him a paper that said I died. He broke out to check on me. He didn't murder those muggles, and he didn't betray my parents," he said quietly but firmly.

Neville blew out a breath he was holding. "Merlin, what a crazy year this is turning out to be. Okay, Harry, If you say you have proof and it's safe...that's enough for me."

Harry looked relieved. "That's probably an understatement. We can talk about everything else later, but for now, let me walk Hermione out and we can go get some food."

Hermione ended up waving Harry off at the door, telling him to stay and entertain his guest. They said a quiet goodbye at the door and she left to meet her parents for dinner.

Back in the kitchen, lucky for them, Sirius seemed to be having a good night and was lucid all through the evening. Neville was nervous at first, but seeing them all joke and interact with ease, he tentatively joined in on the easy discussion.

After dinner, Harry had Kylix set up an additional bed in his room. The adults excused themselves to hang out together for a bit out on the veranda, while the two boys decided to head back to the library.

Harry had slowed down on the extra wandless lessons. He wanted to be sure he had recovered from his attack the day previous, before continuing. Harry was fearful of the side effects the adults had mentioned. So instead, he chatted with Neville, recounting some of Sirius's rescue, how they were trying to help him recover from the dementor exposure, and the plan for them to spend the weekend out in the sun by the pond. Neville seemed excited at the idea and was already looking forward to the weekend.

It wasn't long before everyone was yawning and they all made their way upstairs to call it a night. They did have to be up bright and early for their session with Master Sun after all.

Harry showed Neville around and pointed out where he could put his things. The elves had already rearranged the room, having moved Harry's slightly shrunk bed and adding a second beside it. Neville's trunk at its foot, and the boys' clean pyjamas laying out on their respective beds.

They took turns in the attached bathroom getting ready for bed, before climbing in and snuffing out the light. The nearly full moon providing a dim light into the room. They were quiet for a bit until Harry turned on to his side and spoke softly, "Neville?"

Neville turned on his side to face Harry's direction. "Yeah?"

"Thanks for coming, Mate."

"Thanks for wanting me too."

"I'm sorry I wasn't a better friend at Hogwarts, but I'd like to fix that. I...wasn't..am still not...used to having friends. I think I just latched on to the first people that would have me and...I don't know. I guess maybe I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like they would wise up and decide I wasn't worth being friends with. Then finding out I was famous...I was scared if I made friends...they would only be faking because of that…"

"You don't need to be sorry, Harry. I had a hard time making friends too. I don't blame you for being cautious. And you were still always nice to me. It's not like you were acting like Draco or anything. All that matters is that we are friends now right?"

Harry snickered at the jab at Malfoy. "Yeah. Right. We still have a lot to talk about. But I wanted you to know before we got to all that, that I'm glad you came."

"You guys really training the whole summer?"

"Probably. You want to sit in on our Tai Chi lesson in the morning? I don't think Master Sun will care if you watch."

"Sure, sounds interesting at least."

They whispered about the next day for a bit longer before they finally felt tired enough to get some sleep. Harry felt like a small weight had been lifted from his chest.

The next morning, Harry dressed in the uniform Master Sun had given him and led Neville down to breakfast. Hermione had once again beat him, and was already enjoying a small bowl of fruit. Harry and Neville were just getting their plates when Remus appeared in the kitchen with Sirius behind him.

"You lot are up early. You look like you could use the extra hour of sleep," Harry said, noticing the haggard look to Remus's face.

"It's just due to my weekend plans. I'll be okay after some tea," Remus said evasively with a glance at Neville. He busied himself with the kettle while Dria looked on disapprovingly. She perked up, however, when Sirius asked her if she'd make him a full english.

As the time neared 7am, the trio cleaned up their breakfast and hurried out to the lawn. Master Sun was already waiting for them. When they got close, Harry decided it couldn't hurt to ask..

"Master Sun? Do you mind if Neville does the warm up stretch and runs with us at least?"

Master Sun looked over Neville and nodded slowly. "That is agreeable."

"Just follow the best you can, if you want. We just started so we are learning too," Hermione said to Neville encouragingly.

He nodded and stood an arms length from Harry as Master Sun began leading them through their stretches and warm up. When they finished he sent them off for their run. Neville kept pace with them pretty well, after all, he too had climbed all those stairs daily at Hogwarts.

He took a seat on the grass and took to watching the rest of their lesson. They mirrored Master Sun's movements and when they did them alone, the man would make small adjustments to their stance or movement.

"Well done you two. You seem to be picking up the first form pretty well. Once you have it fully memorised, we can start on the magic aspect. It might help you to remember if you practise outside of class, or try to teach it to someone else. Now, off you go for your cool down," Master Sun dismissed them with a small smile and turned on his heel and retreated to his tent.

Harry and Hermione shared a look before looking at Neville.

"See, you're doing it again," Neville said more as a joke this time. Harry and Hermione laughed.

"Come on. One more run, then we can head inside." Harry offered Neville a hand up from the grass, and the trio took to the pond at a jog.

When they slowed to a walk in the last half, Harry looked at Hermione. "So you think that was him giving us permission to teach Neville too?"

"That's certainly what it sounded like."

Harry glanced at Neville. "What do you think? Want to learn it with us? I'm not sure how good of teachers we'll be but it could be fun to give it a shot."

"Sure. Maybe it will help me not be such a clutz."

The trio laughed and went inside to clean up. The rest of the day passed with ease. They had Charms before lunch and Transfiguration, Occlumency, and animagus training before dinner.

Neville was intimidated at first with Sirius being their tutor for the latter two, but he was very interested in the prospect of maybe becoming an animagus with his friends.

Harry received a letter from Ron shortly after dinner. He, Neville, and Hermione took up their normal haunt in the library and Harry opened the scroll from Ron.

Harry,

Been working on Mum since I got your letter. Me and the Twins really want to come for the weekend like you offered. Mum said no at first, since she wouldn't know for sure where we were going. The three of us have been begging all day and even got Dad convinced to our side. She finally agreed at lunch today (I think mostly just to shut us up.)

She said as long as the Adult that picks us up is trustworthy, then we can stay the weekend. I think that's as good as we are gonna get her. But it sounds like a yes to me! I can't wait to see you. It's been boring here and Ginny has been bugging me constantly.

Anyway, mum asked if you could write me back with a time we will be picked up and everything, and to tell you the Floo address is The Burrow. Just in case the person picking us up needs it.

Ron

Harry read the letter aloud before passing it to Hermione and pulling some parchment and a quill toward him. "What do you think? Saturday morning? Friday afternoon? We can skip the duelling that day I suppose."

"Well, if we do Friday after lunch we would just be cancelling wizarding etiquette and Occlumency. We can still get in duelling before lunch," Hermione offered.

"That's true. And it's a week from tomorrow, hopefully Remus will be all set by then."

Neville looked confused. "Is Remus leaving or something?"

Harry sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well...kinda, he has to leave for this weekend because the moon will be full, and it won't be safe to have him here. But when the weekend is over, he will be safe again. I'm just not sure how many days it will take him to recover after a moon."

"You mean," Neville hesitated with a gulp and a look around, "he's a werewolf?"

Hemione patted Neville's arm. "I know it's a lot to take in. But Remus is safe unless the moon is full. And when that happens he makes sure he is where he can't hurt anybody, so there is nothing to fear, he won't hurt you."

"I trust you guys. Wow, first Sirius Black and now a werewolf. What a summer."

"You don't know the half of it."

"He's still Remus, we shouldn't refer to him as the 'werewolf'."

Harry and Hermione had spoken at the same time, making Neville both blush and laugh.

"Sorry, Hermione. You're right. I just never thought about it that way."

"It's okay, Neville, I understand why it would be worrisome at first, but Remus is a good person, despite his furry little problem."

Neville nodded and mulled it over in his head as Harry and Hermione decided to run the pick up time by Remus before sending off his response to Ron.

That evening was their first real animagus lesson with Sirius. The other having been interrupted with Neville's arrival.

Sirius awaited them excitedly in the library. Harry believed that if he had been in his Padfoot form, he would have been wagging his tail. Beside him on one of the tables were two tall stacks of books. As the trio approached, he bid them to sit around the table. However, unable to contain his own excitement, Sirius chose to stay standing and began to lecture as he paced around them slowly.

"So, we've worked a bit on your Occlumency and meditations, which is important and we will continue that part of it in future lessons. But today," Sirius paused for dramatic effect, "you get to choose what form you'll be taking!"

The boys cheered appropriately and high fived but Hermione looked focused and raised her hand, much to Sirius's frustration and amusement.

"Hermione, you don't have to raise your hand. What's your question?"

She lowered her hand and eyed the books beside Sirius. "What do you mean we pick our form? Is it not something already decided?"

"Like a spirit animal or something linked to your personality?" Sirius was attempting to take her question seriously and kept from poking fun at her. "No, no. That's more linked to what a person's patronus form is. In fact, once you complete your animagus transformation, it will likely also become your Patronus. Though that is very advanced magic for a later day."

Hermione did not look like she liked the idea. "But, how do we choose? What if I choose incorrectly?"

Sirius softened. "I don't think you can choose incorrectly. Remus and I have pulled a number of books on animals. Today, you lot can look through them and think about what you want to be. And you don't have to decide today. It took James weeks to settle on Prongs."

Sirius started to pass out the books. "For us, James and I knew we needed to be large enough to help with Moony when he was wolfed out, and the rat chose his form because he was a shite wizard and that's as much as he could manage," Sirius spat the part about Peter and begrudgingly added, "Plus we needed someone small to manoeuvre the Whomping Willow."

While the kids started to look over the book options, Sirius told them the story about how he and James found out about Remus's 'furry little problem' and how they had learned animagus can't be affected by lycanthropy while in animal form. He left out mentioning Peter again as he recounted their decision to make sure Remus had company on the full moons.

"I decided to be a big black dog pretty much straight away. I thought it was a great prank to resemble a Grim. Plus it was a fun homage to my name. James considered a horse for a while, but wanted something more to help in case Moony got out of hand, without worrying too much about getting injured himself. Prong's antlers solved that, and in the end, it really suited James."

Sirius sighed deeply and took a moment to let his emotions settle before looking back to the kids. "So, the question you have to ask yourself is: What do you want to use the form for?"

Hermione's brow furrowed. Harry looked down at the books now scattered across the table. Neville frowned and scratched his head.

Hermione was the first to speak up. "Well, for me, I think I'd like to use it to get out of a bad situation. A means to get away if I'm in over my head."

Sirius smiled excitedly again. "Good! Good. So what are you thinking? Something fast? Something small? Something that can climb walls?"

Hermione wasn't sure. "Maybe not climb walls, I'd be scared of falling. Something on the small to medium side would make sense. Not so small that I wouldn't be able to move quickly, but not so large that I wouldn't be able to get away. Hmm," Hermione trailed off as she picked a book from the table and began to flip through it."

Neville had begun to look a bit miserable. "I don't know guys. This might be beyond me. I'd be lucky if I could manage a chipmunk, let alone something cool and useful."

Before Harry could speak to bolster his friend, Sirius spoke in a firm but gentle tone, "What makes you think that? I've seen some of the work you lot have done today. You did well in both Charms and Transfiguration today with Remus."

Neville hesitated as he fiddled with the pages of the book in front of him. "Well, I've just never been too good at spell work. My Gran has been pretty disappointed with my first year at Hogwarts. Said my Dad was already top of his class in charms. I'm not so good at charms. The only thing I did really well in was herbology, and you don't often need your wand in that class."

Sirius looked Neville over in a bit of surprise, because he had witnessed the boy just that afternoon do wand work with Remus with ease. He didn't understand where the loss in confidence was coming from until Neville had mentioned his Grandmother. Then Sirius felt he might know it was a different issue than simply not being "good at spellwork."

"Neville. Trust me when I say I believe you are fully capable of being any animal in these book stacks. Spell work is only one tiny part of this process. If you apply yourself and are willing to spend the time to learn, I promise you will get this. The animagus process is a long one, which is why most magicals don't bother, but if you want this, we will make it happen."

Neville looked reassured and Harry offered him an encouraging smile. He pulled open the book in front of him with a nod and began to look through his options.

Harry thought about what he wanted his form for and when he met Sirius's eye he said, "I think I'd like to be something that can fly."

Sirius's grin grew once more as he cheered Harry's choice. "Can't say I'm surprised with how much you love being up on that broom of yours. S'pose I should have called that. Did you know I got you a kids broom for your first birthday? Your mum was furious with me. But boy did you love it. Could barely walk, but you could zip around on that thing. Use to drive the cat mad when you'd chase it about. Your mum sent me a picture of you flying on it. No wonder you made the Quidditch team. You've always been a natural in the air." Sirius grinned at the memory and pushed a book on birds over to Harry.

"I do love to fly, and it would be dead useful for scouting stuff or getting away in a hurry. Like Hermione said, something fast but not too big…" he trailed off as he dove into the book Sirius offered him.

The rest of the lesson was spent pouring over books and discussing pros and cons of various forms. By the end Sirius finally had to call an end to the lesson as the children's focus had begun to wane and they were doing more joking about forms than anything else.

The following day passed in much the same way. Instead of the wandless practise at night, Harry and Hermione started to teach Neville the first form Master Sun had taught them. Their new schedule seemed to be going well, even with Neville's inclusion. He did sit out on Friday during duelling practise and instead practised his disarming spell on one of the practise dummies. Remus excused himself after duelling and told them he would be back by lessons on Monday.

After the last couple lessons on Friday, the trio made their way up to the game room, rather than their normal haunt in the library. They played some of the Muggle board games before Hemione had to leave to meet her parents for dinner. Harry was sad to see her go, knowing he wouldn't see her again until Sunday when the Grangers all came over for their day by the pond.

The boys walked Hermione to the gates before making their way back for their own dinner. About halfway back Neville finally turned to Harry. "So, what is really happening, Harry? I mean, if you're allowed to tell me."

"What do you mean?"

Neville kicked a rock in the path. "It just seems like there is more to all this than what you're letting on. And you still haven't told me how you got that letter to appear in my hand. I've never heard of magic like that."

The rock had moved over to Harry's side and he kicked it forward. He sighed. "Yeah. I guess now is as good a time as any to fill you in."

And so Harry did. He filled him in on everything they found out including the prophecy, as they walked slowly back to the house, kicking the little pebble back and forth.

"So that's part of why I was so worried about getting you here. The prophecy could have been referring to you and I was worried if Dumbledore felt he couldn't get to me...he might try to do something with you."

Neville had listened to everything Harry said carefully. Some of it was beyond his understanding, but the parts he could understand made him nauseous.

"You really think Dumbledore would do that?"

"Had you asked me before I boarded the Express I would have said no way. Maybe even called you barking mad. But the truth is in the things we can prove he's done. I just don't know what he is really capable of."

"My Gran always says the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. He probably thought he was doing what had to be done. And I think that makes it even more scary. What reasoning can you have for binding a kid's magic and sending him to You-Know-Who?"

Harry nodded sadly. "Exactly. If I have to be the one to fight him, shouldn't he want to train me and help get me ready?"

"So you decided to train on your own."

Harry nodded again. "I think it would be good for you too. Just in case."

"You don't think people will want me to fight him, do you?"

"I think that if he does come back, we all will be a part of that fight."

Neville dipped his head after a moment. "Yeah, I'm with you, Harry. I would fight with you."

"Thanks, Mate. Hopefully we have plenty of time to train. I had a bit of a breakdown when I heard the prophecy. Yelled something about the strongest spell I knew to be the tickling charm and unless they were planning on having me wingardium leviosa a piano on to old voldey, I was going to need some help."

Neville laughed. Harry smiled and filled him in on his magic recovery and how he had messed up the other day in the mail room and formed some kind of bond with Hermione. Neville listened and reassured him that he thought they would be okay.

"Just in case, if you agree, you should let Master Sun check you over. I don't know what Dumbledore is really capable of or why he did this to me, but we should have you checked just in case it was in relation to the prophecy."

"Will Master Sun be able to tell?"

"Yeah, he's helped me monitor my core and how it's been healing. He agreed to check yours for tampering, if you wanted that. Like I said, just in case."

Neville nodded slowly and repeated, "Yeah, just in case."

When they got back to the house, Harry had pretty much gotten Neville completely filled in.

The rest of the night was quiet and the following morning the boys had planned to sleep in. Sirius seemed to have a different idea. As the light filtered in from the curtains and the birds began to sing, a great black dog was running through the house. He soon pushed into the boys room, and with a loud bark, bounded onto Harry's bed.

A startled Harry nearly threw Padfoot to the floor in surprise, but was soon laughing as the dog licked the side of his face. "Padfoot, you oaf, it's Saturday." They started to play tug-a-war with Harry's blanket. He finally gave up on his blanket and swung his feet to the floor. "Fine, you win. We'll meet you out on the patio."

Padfoot barked again, leaping down off Harry's bed. He chased his tail, causing the newly woken Neville to laugh. With one last happy bark the dog ran from the room.

Harry groaned as he shuffled over to his wardrobe to pick some clothes for the day. "Merlin, is one day to sleep in too much to ask for?"

Neville yawned through a stretch. "Eh, I reckon I couldn't go back to sleep now even if I tried anyway. Glad I saw Sirius demonstrate his animagus form the other night, or that would have been pretty terrifying to be woken by a grim barking at us." Neville stood and began pulling his own clothes out.

Harry muttered something about 'Excitable godfathers,' making Neville shake his head in mirth.

When both boys were dressed and presentable, they went downstairs and exited out to the patio. Sirius, already digging into his breakfast at the table, waved at them as they approached. They took their seats and began filling their plates with the bacon, eggs, and toast that were available.

"So, Pup, what's the plan for today?"

"I'm not sure actually. You have anything in mind?"

Sirius shrugged. "Weather seems nice enough. It's just the three of us but we could do a game of quadpot."

Harry looked a bit confused and Neville looked…uncomfortable.

"I remember that being mentioned in that quidditch book Hermione checked out for me when I made the house team. But I don't know how to play," said Harry.

"I know it's played on brooms, so I'm going to be no good at it," Neville admitted miserably.

"Nonsense, you had your flying lessons at Hogwarts didn't you?"

"Remember I told you how badly that went, Sirius?"

Realisation donned on Sirius and he waved it away. "Well. that just sounds like you are in need of a proper lesson on a broom that isn't as old as Hogwarts itself, yeah?"

"Yeah! We can both help you learn. At least here we don't have a bunch of people, and Malfoy, to annoy us. You'll get it in no time."

Neville still looked hesitant. "I don't know, Harry, you saw me, I had no control. That broom went bonkers. I don't wanna fall again."

Harry considered this and said, "I won't force you, but I think it would be a good thing to learn. Plus, this time you'll be on a better broom, with two people beside you, ready to help you with anything. We can start slow and only do as much as you're comfortable with. I think you can do it."

Sirius nodded with Harry as Neville looked between them. "Okay. I suppose you're right. I should learn sometime."

Sirius gave a whoop and the boys finished their breakfast.

The rest of the morning and afternoon was spent getting Neville comfortable on a broom. By the end of their impromptu lesson, Neville was still a bit shaky, but was able to fully control the broom on his own. Harry hoped that they could get more practise in, and get Neville to the point they could play the game Sirius had mentioned. However, until then, Neville was coming along pretty well. It was mainly his own nerves that were holding him back.

When the summer sun had finally grown too hot, they abandoned the flying lessons for a quick swim in the pond. Harry didn't have much experience swimming, but he was happy to splash in the shallows and do some tentative doggy paddling. Sirius, on the other hand, cannon balled off the small pier, only to surface as padfoot and literally doggy paddle across the pond, making both boys collapse in laughter. It was a good day.

Later that evening, Harry found himself alone, in his favourite armchair in the library. Neville was upstairs, writing a letter to his gran before bed. Sirius was thoroughly worn out, and had fallen asleep in the rec room in the middle of their after dinner card game. Harry had Dria move him to his bed.

Which is how he now found himself curled up in an armchair, watching the flames dance in the fireplace. He had attempted to read but he couldn't bring himself to focus on the words. He was lost in a whirlwind of thought. So when a small creature, with large batlike ears, wearing a very dirty pillowcase appeared before him, it took a moment for Harry's brain to register.

"Um, Hello, Mr. Harry Potter, Sir. So long has Dobby wanted to meet you, Sir…Such an honour it is," the creature said in a high voice.

Harry jumped from his chair with a start, taking in the being before him. His slow realisation it must be a house elf. "How? …Why? Sorry. How are you able to be here right now?"

The elf had the good nature to look abashed. "House elves can go most places, Mr. Harry Potter Sir."

Harry considered this. "Okay. Well, if you aren't here to hurt me, why don't you have a seat and we can talk. Uh, and maybe you can tell me your name?"

"My name? Sit down? Si..si sit d-down?" the elf wailed.

Harry looked startled and took a nervous step back. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend you-"

"Offend Dobby!" choked the elf. "Dobby has never been asked to sit down by a wizard — like an equal —"

"You can't have met many decent wizards," said Harry, trying to cheer him up.

Dobby shook his head. Then, without warning, he leapt up and started banging his head furiously on the nearby desk, shouting, "Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby!"

"Don't — what are you doing?" Harry grabbed the small elf and pulled him over to the couch.

"Dobby had to punish himself, Sir," said the elf, who had gone slightly cross-eyed. "Dobby almost spoke ill of his family, Sir. . . ."

"Your family?"

"The wizard family Dobby serves, Sir. . . . Dobby is a house elf — bound to serve one house and one family forever. . . ."

"Do they know you're here?" asked Harry curiously.

Dobby shuddered. "Oh, no, Sir, no . . . Dobby will have to punish himself most grievously for coming to see you, Sir. Dobby will have to shut his ears in the oven door for this. If they ever knew, Sir —"

"But won't they notice if you shut your ears in the oven door?"

"Dobby doubts it, Sir. Dobby is always having to punish himself for something, Sir. They lets Dobby get on with it, Sir. Sometimes they reminds me to do extra punishments. . . ."

"And you're bonded to them? You can't leave?"

"Yes, a house-elf must be set free, Sir. And the family will never set Dobby free . . . Dobby will serve the family until he dies, Sir. . . ."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I hope I can help elves like you one day. Is there something I can do to help you now? Is that why you're here?"

His wails of gratitude startled Harry again. "Harry Potter asks if he can help Dobby…Dobby has heard of your greatness, Sir, but of your goodness, Dobby never knew."

"I'm sure whatever you've heard is rubbish. I'm just Harry."

"Harry Potter is humble and modest," said Dobby reverently, his orb-like eyes aglow. "Harry Potter speaks not of his triumph over He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named —"

"Voldemort?" said Harry.

Dobby clapped his hands over his bat ears and moaned, "Ah, speak not the name, Sir! Speak not the name!"

"Sorry," said Harry quickly. "I know lots of people don't like it. My friend Ron always panics a bit too. Sorry."

Dobby leaned toward Harry, his eyes wide as headlights. "Dobby heard tell," he said hoarsely, "that Harry Potter met the Dark Lord for a second time, just weeks ago . . . that Harry Potter escaped yet again."

Harry nodded and Dobby's eyes suddenly shone with tears.

"Ah, Sir," he gasped, dabbing his face with a corner of the grubby pillowcase he was wearing. "Harry Potter is valiant and bold! He has braved so many dangers already! But Dobby has come to protect Harry Potter, to warn him, even if he does have to shut his ears in the oven door later. Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts."

Harry stared at Dobby bemused. "I…I don't understand."

"Harry Potter must stay where he is safe. He is too great, too good, to lose. If Harry Potter goes back to Hogwarts, he will be in mortal danger."

"Why?" said Harry in surprise.

"There is a plot, Harry Potter. A plot to make most terrible things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year," whispered Dobby, suddenly trembling all over. "Harry Potter must not put himself in peril. He is too important, Sir!"

"What terrible things?" said Harry at once. "Who's plotting them?"

Dobby made a funny choking noise and then banged his head frantically against the wall.

"All right!" cried Harry, grabbing the elf's arm to stop him. "You can't tell me. I understand. But why are you warning me?" A sudden, unpleasant thought struck him. "Hang on — this hasn't got anything to do with Vol- sorry- with You-Know-Who, has it? You could just shake or nod," he added hastily as Dobby's head tilted worryingly close to the wall again.

Slowly, Dobby shook his head.

"Not — not He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Sir —" But Dobby's eyes were wide and he seemed to be trying to give Harry a hint. Harry, however, was completely lost.

"He hasn't got a brother, has he?"

Dobby shook his head, his eyes wider than ever.

"Look, Dobby, I get you're trying to help. But without more to go on, I'm not sure what to make of this. And, I'm not sure if you noticed, but it hasn't exactly been safe for me away from Hogwarts either. My relatives were blown up, and if I hadn't ran, I would have been in that car with them. If there is danger at Hogwarts, we should tell someone."

"This is one evil, Harry Potter musn't face! Please listen to Dobby, Sir!"

"I-I'm trying. It's just…What about all the other kids at the school. If they're in danger and I know about it, I should do something to help. I'm not even sure I AM going back to Hogwarts yet but I also can't just do nothing."

Dobby was looking at him with a mixture of reverence and anxiety as he rocked back and forth. "Dobby can't stay much longer. Please, Sir. Just promise Dobby you won't go back this year!"

"Dobby, I can't make you that promise because I don't know. I still have to talk it over with Hermione and everyone. I can promise to take your warning seriously and tell them about it?" Harry placated when the elf began to rock faster.

When Dobby didn't speak Harry tried again, "I promise to take your warning seriously. Can you tell me which family you serve?"

Tears fell from Dobby's eyes as he shook his head so hard his large ears beat against his face. And as suddenly as he arrived he was gone with a pop.

Harry stared at the spot where Dobby had disappeared for a long moment before jumping to action. First, he called his elves. After a short talk with them, Harry found that the wards didn't account for a number of magical "creatures." They said they could, however, make it so that other elves could not pop in and surprise them again. Harry quickly agreed and the elves set to work.

Next, He wrote as much of the interaction down as he could remember and sent it straight to Hermione. He would bring the adults up to speed as soon as Remus returned.

Thoroughly exhausted from the day, and then the emotional roller coaster that was Dobby's warning, Harry hardly had time to process that interaction before comfortable unconsciousness claimed him.