Disclaimer: All rights belong to JK Rowling and her publishers. No money is being made off of this, no copyright infringement is intended
After spending the morning working out and flying with Tonks, Harry headed to Dumbledore's office for his Occlumency lesson. Harry decided to visit the Headmaster through his window today, as Harry stepped through the window into Dumbledore's office, the Headmaster greeted him cheerfully.
"Good morning Harry. How are you feeling on this beautiful day? I see you are once again making good use of that wonderful broom." Dumbledore smiled.
"I'm feeling fine sir, the flying seems to help my mood." Harry smiled back.
"Before we start I feel I need to ask a favor of you and we then need to discuss a few other items if you don't mind." Dumbledore stated.
"What do you need?" Harry answered. Hoping it wasn't anything too big. He had had enough in the past few days.
"I was hoping that you might allow us to use your home for Order meetings" Dumbledore looked over his glasses at Harry with a twinkle in his eyes.
"My house sir?" Harry asked with a confused look. He didn't have a house, did he?
"Number 12 Grimmauld Place, Harry. It and quite a few other things now belong to you" Dumbledore smiled over at Harry. He was hoping this wouldn't be too much for the youth to digest.
"You can use it all you want I don't want any of it" Harry wanted nothing to do with that bloody house. Sirius was practically a prisoner there. That knot in his stomach was trying to form again.
"Thank you for the use of your home it is greatly appreciated. That brings us to our next problem… the stay here in the castle was only temporary… I know it will be hard but it is now your home and is almost as safe as here" Dumbledore knew that he would not want to do it but it really was the best thing for him at this time.
"No!" Harry shouted, "I do not want to live in that house, his house." The knot was making his way back up towards his throat and he could feel the tears starting to burn his eyes.
Dumbledore took a deep breath before beginning again, "There really is no where else to go Harry. The Weasley's are leaving tomorrow to visit Charlie in Romania. They will be gone for a couple of weeks… Harry please just go visit the house it looks or feels nothing like it did the last time you were there." Dumbledore waited for his reply.
"If Kreacher is still there I swear I will kill him as soon as I see him" Harry stated with a look of pure hate on his face.
The Headmaster let out a little breath that he had been holding in. "Calm down Harry, no Kreacher has been…taken care of. That brings me to my next topic, it seems I have here in Hogwarts two house elfs who wish to serve you." Dumbledore smiled up at Harry, " They have been spending time between here and your new home cleaning it up. I must say they have done a splendid job and they hope you will keep them on to help."
"Dobby I assume, but who else?" he questioned.
"Yes Harry, I believe Dobby has been waiting for you to own a home since you sat him free from the Malfoy's. The other is Winky she still feels the need to be bound to a family and not to a place such as Hogwarts" Dumbledore looked to Harry again with a twinkle.
Harry was taken back. He almost yelled his response, "What do you mean bound to me? I don't want anyone bound to serve me. Oh, no. Hermione will kill me you know that right…I mean Voldemort will never get the chance. I will have to hear her rant and rave like a mad woman for what little time she allows me to live" Harry was looking like a deer caught in headlights, while Dumbledore just smiled at the look of fear in the young mans eyes.
"Why don't we have Dobby and Winky come in here and see what they would like?" Dumbledore said plainly.
"Why would Dobby want this? He enjoys being free. He can still come with me as a free elf. I will pay him and everything." Harry was almost pleading at the headmaster by now.
"POP, POP"
"Harry Potter sir, is good to being seeing you sir" Winky said while bowing "I hope new master is pleased with what is being done to your home. I has been working on it for Harry Potter."
"Winky…Dobby are you sure this is what you want? Dobby you love being free. Why would you want to be bound again?" Harry questions the now frowning elf.
"Harry Potter" Dobby said in a whisper motioning Harry to lean in closer, as Harry leaned in Dobby continued "Dobby is wanting family with Winky. Only way Winky willing is if both are bound properly to serve a family. Dobby knows Harry Potter free Dobby and family if Dobby wanted him to. I would be honored to be serving the great Harry Potter." Dobby looked hopefully up at Harry.
Harry looked up at the Headmaster, with his face turning bright red, trying not to laugh at his little friend. The Headmaster whom Harry suspected already knew this stood there smiling, eyes twinkling. That damn twinkle Harry thought to himself.
Harry then started to feel a little jealous of his tiny friend. Here was someone willing to give up his own freedom to be with somebody else. I wonder if I will ever feel that way or have someone feel that way about me, Harry thought. Well it doesn't really matter I probably won't make it out of this war anyways and I defiantly won't get involved with a girl before the war is over.
"Harry…Harry…H A R R Y" Dumbledore was trying to get his attention.
"Yes" Harry replied coming out of his own thoughts.
"Sorry, I was having trouble getting your attention. I was asking if you were ready for the bonding to take place. Dobby and Winky will each swear on their ancestors to be loyal and to serve you all you have to do is accept them into your belongings and the bonding will be complete" Dumbledore stated.
Harry agreed to everything and the ceremony began. After the ceremony Dumbledore removed his wand from his robes with a flick a silvery ghostly image flew through the wall and disappeared.
"Well Harry, are you ready to go home?" Dumbledore questioned.
"I need to pack first and find Tonks and Moony, but I guess, after that I will be as ready as I ever will be." Harry looked tired. The stress of the day was once again getting to him.
Just then the door to the Headmasters office opened up. Tonks entered and Remus followed closely behind. Tonks immediately tripped over a rug and Remus caught her before she hit the stone floor.
"Thanks there Moony, your right handy to have around!' Tonks patted Remus on the back. Remus just nodded but Harry swore he could detect a little blush on the Marauder.
Dumbledore turned his attention back to the house elves, "Dobby Winky please take everyone's belongings to Harry's house. Remus and Tonks will be going with Harry."
Dobby and Winky just stood there with their heads bowed and trembling. When Dumbledore looked up, he started laughing.
"Forgive me, sometimes I overstep my boundaries. Harry would you please ask your house-elfs to take the trunks to your home. When they are off, I will set up a portkey for you" Dumbledore looked expectantly at Harry.
Harry was willing himself not to sound angry as he gave his first order to them, "Dobby Winky would you please take our things home and we will be there shortly." They bowed low with grins on their faces.
"Yes master Harry" They said in unison and disappeared with the three trunks.
Harry turned his attention back on Tonks and Remus, this time losing a little of his composure, "You two knew about this didn't you!" Harry stepped towards them threateningly, "No warning or hints that all this was going to happen and you" Harry continued while glaring at Dumbledore. "I thought we had a deal no surprises or manipulations just the truth" Harry knew he was overreacting but he didn't care, he was tired of things being hid from him.
"Calm down Harry. Nymphadora and Remus only knew you would be going to Grimmauld Place today. They knew not of all the will entailed or about Dobby and Winky." Dumbledore continued his explanation as he grabbed a book off of his desk "Portus…okay grab hold 1…2…3"
Harry felt the familiar tug at his navel and landed in the study of his new home. He dusted the soot off of him and quickly noticed that the room looked nothing like it had at over Christmas. This room was brightly painted off white with lighter colored furniture than it had before. The paintings that hung on the walls were of peaceful country scenes or Cheerful witched and wizards. There was a grand rug covering the majority of the room that brought all the colors together. It was like walking into a completely different house.
Harry was still in awe of the room when he felt a jerk on his arm. Tonks had grabbed Harry and proceeding to drag him into every room in the house. She pointed out the new light fixtures that made each room brighter. She made sure that Harry understood the amount of thought and work that went into each detail. She also made sure to point out all of the things that were now, thankfully missing. The house-elf heads were gone; Mrs. Blacks painting had a wall put over the top of it. Now all she could see was darkness and wood. Harry was glad to see the old hag got what she deserved, even if she was just a painting. The bathrooms had all been updated and Harry had a suspicion they had been magically enlarged, as the bathtub alone was as big as the previous room. Finally they made it to the third floor and past the door to the room Buckbeak use to stay in (he had also been sent back to Hagrid, who had tears welling up in his eyes when heshe was brought back to Hogwarts) to a door on the right. Tonks stopped abruptly and turned to Harry.
"Here is your room Harry" Tonks said while grinning from ear to ear.
"Wow" was the only thing Harry could think to say. Looking around he couldn't believe his eyes. The room was huge having a large canopy bed with deep red bedding, a fireplace large enough for three people to stand in comfortably, an oak desk with shelves full of books that reached ceiling to floor (Hermione would love that), and a plush red couch in the same deep red as the bed and two cozy looking chairs for visitors.
Harry started into the room to investigate further. Harry made his way across the room to the open door on the other side. What he saw was amazing. Inside was a full size bathroom with an oversized bath and shower. In the bathroom was another door; he opened it to reveal a closet that was bigger than his entire bedroom at #4 Privet Drive.
Suddenly, he heard a loud crashing noise followed by a few muffled noises from the hall. He ran from his bedroom down the Hall with his wand drawn and ready to fight. As he encountered the cause of the ruckus, he let out a breath of relief.
"Easy Harry" Fred stared wide-eyed at the boy pointing a wand in his face.
"didn't mean to" George continued.
"scare you we" Fred stated.
"heard you had" George's smile was now flashing back at Harry
"arrived" Fred raised his hand to lower Harry's wand.
"thought we would" George was now holding back on laughing at his brother who had obviously been about to wet his pants.
"come say Hello" Fred was now smiling as large as his twin.
"Hello" they said in unison.
Harry was torn between hexing them for scaring him or falling down laughing at the look on Fred's face. "Fred, George, what are you doing here? I thought you were in Romania visiting Charlie for a couple of weeks?" Harry reached out to shake his friends hands.
"Nope Mom, Dad, Ginny, ickle Ronnikins and the git" Fred started out the twins rotation of finishing each other's sentences.
"went but we stayed to run our shop. Which is doing quite well," Grinned George.
"excellent actually" Continued Fred.
The twins led Harry back down to the sitting room where they began telling him all about the store and the profits. Harry could tell they were scheming something and waited patiently for the ball to drop. They talked with Harry about his part in the store and after much deliberation Harry had talked the twins into placing the money back into the store and making Harry a permanent partner. The twins continued on about the store for another ten minutes before they sat down next to Harry, placing their arms around Harry they asked:
"Harry we were wondering, if we could stay here" George started this time.
"for a while Mom, can be a little overbearing" Fred finished looking hopefully at Harry.
"Stay as long as you like, just don't use me as a tester. I want to feel like I can eat in my own house without turning into a canary" Harry was glad to see that the twins were happy. At least someone is, he thought.
Just then Dobby popped in and informed Harry that he had a guest waiting in the kitchen to see him. Harry and the twins proceeded downstairs and into the kitchen to see his stern transfiguration professor standing there with an envelope.
McGonagall looked suspiciously at the two red heads and then turned her attention to Harry, "Mr. Potter since we are trying to keep your location quite, I thought it would be best if I hand delivered this to you instead of sending it by owl"
"Thank you Professor" Harry replied taking the envelope from her hands and nervously breaking the seal. Taking a deep calming breath and looking around at everyone in the room waiting for him to read the letter with his OWL results. He unfolded the parchment and began to read:
Ordinary Wizarding Levels
Results for
Mr. Harry James Potter
House: GryffindorHead of House: McGonagall
Course Written Practical Overall OWL
Ancient Runes na na na N
Arithmacyna nanaN
Astronomy AA A Y
Care of Magical Creatures O naO Y
Charms EE OO Y
Defense Against
The Dark ArtsOO OY
DivinationnaP P N
Herbology AAA Y
History of Magic Dna DN
Muggle Studies nana naN
PotionsEE EEEE Y
Transfiguration AEE EE Y
Denotes highest score of the year
Congratulations you have received 7 OWLs
Available classes are as follows
NEWT Care of Magical Creatures
NEWT Charms
NEWT Defense Against the Dark Arts
NEWT Herbology
NEWT Potions
NEWT Transfuguration
You may choose any other classes to take, but they will be normal classes not NEWT level.
Please choose a minimum of 4 classes and a maximum of 8 for the next 2 years.
Wow seven OWLs not bad Harry thought to himself, he was broken out of his thoughts by Tonks grabbing the paper from his grasp and reading the result out loud. He looked around the room as she read. He was proud of his scores but wasn't sure if he wanted them read to everyone.
"Blimey Harry 7 OWLs and the highest in DADA, that's great we are so going to have a party for this" Tonks said excitedly. She began going through the cupboards in the kitchen getting out party supplies. She seemed to be dropping more of them on the ground than actually getting them together on the counter.
"Your parents and Sirius would have been proud Harry I knew you could do it" Lupin gazed into Harry eyes wanting him to know how proud he was of him. He patted Harry on the back just as there was a particularly loud crash from over by the counter. Lupin turned to make his way over to help Tonks or at least keep her from injuring any one else.
"Seven, you disappoint us" jokingly Fred bowed his head.
"We just knew you would follow us, not Hermione" George said in mach hurt.
McGonagall made her presence know with her patented disapproving clearing of her throat." Congratulations Mr. Potter. Do you still wish to be an Auror?" McGonagall looked at Harry for an answer.
" I don't know. I need to speak to Professor Dumbledore, I may not take Potions… I mean that would be two more years with Snive…I mean Professor Snape" He quickly changed the name with McGonagall glaring at him, too much.
"Well I need that back completed in a weeks time. Good day Mr. Potter, I shall see you soon. Again, well done on your OWLs." His Head of House declared as she briskly left the kitchen and headed for the front door.
They all made their way back into the sitting room and began discussing what he should take in the up coming year. Winky appeared and hour later and informed everyone that supper was ready. After a delicious supper, Harry headed upstairs. He needed to clear his head, it seemed that everything that had gone on today had gotten jumbled up and he need to sort them out. Instinctively Harry headed to his workout room.
At the end of his workout he still hadn't decided what classes to take. Did he really want to be an Auror? Did he want to use his time on classes like Herbology or CoMC? Could he handle two more years with Snape (and not hex him)? He needed to talk to Dumbledore and find out if he was going to be getting extra training during the school year or if he was on his own. At least now he was mentally and physically worn out, maybe he could get a full nights sleep.
Author notes: Sorry if the OWL results look bad. They got screwed up uploading the chapter. Please take a second and review even if it is to tell me to quit writing this story. This is my first attemp at writing anything.