Chapter Eight - Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
As two burly Aurors grasped Lucius by the arms he started writhing and struggling, trying to break free from their grip. Screaming in agony, he flailed his body about in an attempt to escape from his jailers.
Disgusted with his struggles, Madam Bones pulled out her wand and shouted "Stupefy!" at him. As the spell intersected with him, Lucius' body went limp and his head slumped forward, lolling against his chest.
As Dumbledore called the day's session to a close, Harry was overwhelmed by the number of witches and wizards that approached him to shake his hand and praise his speech. Several witches had tears in their eyes as they thanked and commended him for his courage and pitied his loss of parents and godfather. Wizards puffed out their chest and said they agreed with his decision, as if it was the only option that had been presented or they had offered it themselves.
Finally Mrs. Weasley grabbed his hand and firmly guided Harry out of the courtroom. Studiously ignoring several reporters, she took him to the fireplaces.
"You and I are going to the Burrow. I have a few emergency portkeys that will bring us to Headquarters to meet up with the rest. But we need to get you out of here, now."
Nodding his head and grabbing a handful of Floo powder, Harry marched to a fireplace and shouted "The Burrow!"
As he stepped in to the green flames, but before he disappeared he turned and saw the scowling face of Draco Malfoy glaring at him from a distance.
***
As soon as they arrived at the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley reached behind the family clock and pulled out a flaming red feather. Harry recognized this as a portkey, and they grabbed on to it and were whisked away to number 12, Grimmauld Place.
As the disorientation of traveling by portkey he normally felt quickly faded, Harry followed Mrs. Weasley into the drawing room.
"Why don't you sit down while I go make us a light snack. The others should arrive here soon, Arthur was going to bring them on the Underground."
Turning to walk to the kitchen, she looked back fondly at Harry.
"Oh, and Harry, I just couldn't be more proud of you than I was this afternoon. You were absolutely amazing. You saved Dumbledore. You saved us all, I think."
Suddenly exhausted from the mental and emotional strain of the day's events, Harry collapsed into a plush chair, leaning his head against the side arm. Still dazed at the reaction from those present at the courtroom, Harry was sorting out the events of the day, working them into his plan for his own trial at the end of the week. Realizing that this would help make things easier for the complete execution of his plan, Harry allowed himself another broad smile.
Hearing Mrs. Weasley rattling around in the kitchen in the background, Harry was surprised when he saw Kreacher shuffling into the room, his hands full of various disgusting mementoes of Sirius' family that hadn't been removed yet.
"Oh, sorry sir," Kreacher muttered "wretched excuse for a wizard that he is, destroying the noble Lord who has thankfully returned. Does Potter have any orders for me sir? Perhaps sir would like me to leave?"
"No, Kreacher," Harry said firmly. "You've already been given orders by Dumbledore never to leave this house again, and I am also giving you that order. As the rightful master of the Black Estate, you are never to leave this house. Until I figure out how to punish you for causing Sirius' death, you are to remain in this house, as much as that disgusts me."
"It disgusts me more than it does him, stupid fool, consorting with low- borns and mudbloods, half-breeds and senile wizards. He doesn't know how I danced with glee when I heard of the death of Mistress' wretched son. How I had a few moments of joy when I talked with the noble cousin."
"Enough Kreacher, get out of this room. Get out of my sight! Never come in to a room where I am unless I call for you. But you are never to leave this house. Do you understand?"
Compelled by the magic that bound his race, Kreacher reluctantly nodded at Harry's orders. Fleeing, the miserable little elf disappeared into the kitchen and crawled up into its room.
Sighing with disgust, Harry walked over to the front door. He could hear the twins half a block away and wanted to greet them all now that they had finally made it back to his house. Feeling his spirits pick up again at the sound of laughter from his friends, Harry threw open the door and was shocked.
Standing in the middle of the group, laughing louder than all the rest, was Dumbledore. Harry thought he had lost 20 years of age in the half hour that had passed since the trial of Lucius Malfoy ended. Surprised at the joyous sound coming out of the headmaster's mouth Harry barked out a burst of laughter, joining in with his friends.
As they quickly entered the house, their laughter filling the room, Harry's joy was quickly cut off as the portrait of Mrs. Black started screeching at the top of her lungs.
"FOULNESS! FILTH! TRAITORS! ABOMINATIONS IN MY HOME! HOW DARE YOU, MUDBLOOD, IN MY HOME. DISGUSTING RACE TRAITORS!" The sound was deafening and all laughter ceased as everyone scrambled out of the room to avoid listening to the terrible sounds and hateful words.
Everyone that is, except Harry and Dumbledore. Harry stared with loathing at the portrait and started walking over to close the curtains when Dumbledore stopped him by placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. Dumbledore then cleared his throat in a meaningful way, power radiating from him, as well as contempt. Harry sensed the headmaster's presence and realized that the portrait had finally stopped screaming as she too took notice of Dumbledore. Looking down at him scornfully she opened her mouth as if to start screaming again but stopped suddenly as Dumbledore held up his hand, his finger pointing into the air as if in warning.
Harry silently watched as Dumbledore turned to look at Harry thoughtfully.
"Harry, I realize I forgot to discuss something with you at your birthday party. Something that will help you deal with the portrait and other issues with your new home. I would not call this a present, because it is not something I can give you, instead let us call it an opportunity."
"Um, sure, Professor," Harry said slowly. "But, erm, I'm not sure what you are talking about."
"Of course Harry," said Dumbledore while smiling. "Let me explain, I would like you to consider taking on an employee, one of mine to be precise, to help you complete the restoration of this house before you return to Hogwarts."
"I don't know professor, who did you want me to hire? I'd feel funny about having Hagrid work for me, or any of the professors."
"Oh no, Harry. No, that wouldn't do at all. You need someone with rather specialized skills, someone with different magic than we possess. This individual is someone you know quite well, I believe." Dumbledore's was quite amused and his blue eyes were twinkling merrily.
Harry felt as if he could physically feel the light bulb that seemed to flash in his head. Staring incredulously at his headmaster a small grin appeared on his face as well.
"You mean Dobby sir? You think he'd want to come work for me?"
"I think it would take a flock of thestrals to keep him away if we were to suggest it, Harry. If you agree, I will call him to us immediately."
Harry stared into drawing room, thinking about Dumbledore's offer. Of course he liked Dobby, the house elf certainly had an attachment to Harry and it was kind of nice. And Harry did feel a certain amount of responsibility for Dobby since he had freed him from the clutches of the Malfoy family during second year. Dobby had even tried to save Harry from the evil plot Lucius had crafted with the diary.
And during Harry's fourth year, Dobby had helped with the second task by providing the gillyweed, which enabled Harry to swim underwater to save Ron and the others from the merpeople. Most importantly, Dobby had helped find the Room of Requirement and tried to warn Harry about Umbridge's attack on the DA. Somehow they had forged a connection, a bond, and Harry realized that this would be a good idea. Plus, it would give him a set of hands that could help clean up the house. Of course, Harry wasn't entirely aware of how much help that would be considering Dobby's penchant for trying to help a little too much.
Nodding his head in agreement, Harry looked at the headmaster. "Yes, professor, that would be a good idea. Let's ask Dobby though. I know he likes working for you, I don't want to force him or try to trick him. We'll ask him straight out."
Smiling, Dumbledore held out his hand and quickly snapped his fingers three times. Seconds later Harry heard a soft pop and Dobby appeared in the middle of the entryway.
"Headmaster is calling Dobby, sir? What can Dobby do for you sir?" The familiar house elf appeared just as Harry remembered him. Dobby was wearing an odd collection of clothing, right down to the mismatched socks Harry had given him for Christmas. As Dobby turned and saw Harry, the house elf's eyes opened widely.
"Harry Potter! Dobby is so pleased to see Mr. Harry Potter sir!" Jumping up into the air and grasping Harry's arm, Dobby began shaking it vigorously. "Dobby is very pleased to see you sir, Dobby knows you have had a bad summer with wretched evil wizards attacking you and unfriendly relatives being mean to poor Harry Potter. How is Mr. Harry Potter sir?"
Smiling kindly at him, Harry gently withdrew his arm so that Dobby would stop shaking it so much. "I'm fine Dobby, I'm fine. Listen, Professor Dumbledore and I have a question for you and we want you to think about it before you answer, okay?"
If possible Dobby's eyes grew even wider. "Harry Potter is asking Dobby a question? Harry Potter wants Dobby's opinion? Oh Harry Potter is such a kind and wonderful wizard, the greatest wizard who ever lived is Harry Potter he is."
Jumping around in joy, Harry had to wait for several minutes while Dobby released some of his nervous energy.
"All right Dobby, all right. Look, this house we are in is now mine. I inherited it from my godfather, Sirius. But I need some help cleaning it up and taking care of it for the rest of the summer. Would you want to come work for me for the rest of the summer? I can pay you as much as you want, and you can take as many days off as you want as well. Now I want you to think about it before you respond."
Dobby exploded with joy, prancing about, jumping, laughing, and finally stood shaking with unshed tears standing in his eyes, looking up at Harry and Professor Dumbledore.
"Sirs, it would be the greatest honor of Dobby's life to be able to work for Mr. Harry Potter in his home. Dobby is not worthy of this great honor. But Dobby is pleased that Mr. Harry Potter has made this kind and generous offer. If Headmaster Dumbledore does not object, Dobby would very much like to accept. And Mr. Potter does not need to pay Dobby, sir. Working for such an honorable wizard is payment enough, and Dobby would never want for anything while working for Harry Potter. Dobby would help Harry Potter with anything!"
Harry and Dumbledore stood grinning at the trembling house elf, careful not to look at each other for fear of laughing at the obvious joy this offer had brought to Dobby. Finally Dumbledore straightened his shoulders and looked down at Dobby.
"Then, Dobby the House Elf, I formally release you from your contract with me and free you to make whatever choice about employment you may make. You will always be welcome at Hogwarts if you ever want to return."
"Dobby," Harry said, still smiling. "I would like to offer you a position, with the same salary and benefits that you negotiated with Professor Dumbledore at Hogwarts. You will be paid and get days off, and we will design a more appropriate uniform for you so that you don't have to wear such a mix of clothing. Maybe Mrs. Weasley, Ginny and Hermione can help us make something for you."
Suddenly a flash of insight came upon Harry. He turned to Dumbledore.
"Sir, do you think you could spare another of your employees? I think Dobby and Winky would like to continue working together, and this is a large house."
Once again Harry and Dumbledore had to avoid looking directly at each other. Dobby's obvious enthusiasm for the idea was touching and they couldn't stand the thought of Dobby misunderstanding their humor at the situation. As Dumbledore nodded his head, Dobby jumped for joy, again making a scene to demonstrate his happiness.
"Oh sirs! Oh Dobby would be so very happy! Yes, Dobby will accept the generous offer of Harry Potter, sir, and yes, Dobby would very much like to work with Winky at Harry Potter's house."
Once again Dumbledore snapped his fingers and Winky appeared with a pop. Looking around at the three of them gathered in front of her, Harry watched as she gulped nervously.
"Yes, Headmaster, sir? What can Winky do for you sir?"
Before Dumbledore could explain, Dobby grabbed Winky and started explaining the offer he had just been made. Winky was staring incredulously at the three of them as Dobby finished. She finally turned to look straight at Harry.
"Winky does not believe this. Can it be true? Winky would not understand why such a good wizard would want her in his service after all the bad things that have happened to him as a result of Winky's mistakes. Winky cannot accept this kind offer." She turned sadly away from the trio standing before her.
Harry sensed that she was about to disappear and return to Hogwarts. His heart ached at the miserable look that appeared on Dobby's face. Harry quickly reached out his hand and gently placed it on Winky's shoulder.
"Wait Winky, please. I am serious about this. I want you to come work for me, to help me with my house, to clean it, to maintain it. Please, I need you to do this."
Winky's body started shivering. "Sir, I cannot do that. I am not like Dobby. I cannot work for you, be PAID. It is not right. I understand that I have to accept money from the Headmaster, but that is because I work for a school, not a wizard or a family. But I cannot be paid by a wizard, even one as great as Harry Potter." Tears welled in her eyes, as she took a deep breath, preparing to disappear.
"Winky," Harry said quietly. "What if, instead of working for me, what if instead of being paid, what if I took you in to my service? What if you became my house elf and worked here?"
Winky stared at Harry wordlessly. She stopped shivering and just stared at him. Seconds, then minutes rolled by, finally she blinked.
"Harry Potter would do that for Winky? Harry Potter would accept Winky into his service? Despite all the bad things that Winky has done? Betrayed her last master? Been paid to work? Worn clothes? Harry Potter is a kind and generous wizard. Winky would accept that offer, if Harry Potter were to make it."
Looking at Dumbledore, who firmly nodded his head in agreement, Harry smiled.
"Winky, I would like to accept you into my service as my house elf. Will you do that?"
Smiling a broad smile, Harry saw the weight that had burdened Winky ever since she had left the service of the Crouch family disappear. The change to Winky was marvelous to watch, she looked happier than Harry remembered ever seeing her, she was almost as jubilant as Dobby.
"Yes sir! Oh yes, Harry Potter! Yes I will enter your service! Master is too kind and generous to give Winky a second chance, and Winky will do whatever Master asks of her to show her loyalty!"
"My first condition is that you never, ever call me 'Master' or anything like that. You can call me 'Harry' or 'Harry Potter' or 'Mr. Harry Potter' or anything you want, but not 'Master.' You are my friend Winky, Dobby too, and I will not allow you to think of yourself as less than me. I want you to work for me because it will make you happy, because you want to. But you are not a servant. You have value and you have my respect. Is that clear?"
Nodding her head thoughtfully, Winky agreed before Dobby gave a loud squeal of delight and grabbed Winky by the arms. Together they danced around the room their laughter infectious, causing Harry and Dumbledore to join in. The noise brought out the Ron and Hermione from the kitchen to investigate. The sight of two house elves, Harry, and Professor Dumbledore dancing around in the entryway was too much for them and they joined in the laughter until Hermione finally asked what was causing the celebration.
"Well, I've just asked Dobby and Winky to come work for me, and they have agreed," Harry said turning to her. He saw a flash of determined anger pop up in her eyes as she stared at him before deciding what to say.
"I will assume, Harry, that you will be paying both of them," she asked coolly. "After all I can't believe that you would enslave two free house elves."
Harry's smile faltered and he heard Winky gasp and Dobby groan. "Well, Hermione, I will be paying Dobby. The same wages as he was making at Hogwarts, since he didn't want any more. But Winky refused, she wouldn't consider it."
"What?!?" Hermione exclaimed. "So you've allowed her to give up her freedom, to become your slave? I though better of you Harry."
"NO!" shouted Winky. "Miss will not speak badly of Mr. Harry Potter sir. Miss does not understand what it is like to be a house elf. Miss does not know what it is like to be a FREE house elf. Winky could not stand it. Winky is not like Dobby, Winky was not liking the freedom, the wages, the time off. Winky loves to do things for her family, and Mr. Harry Potter is now her charge."
"But Winky, it's not right," began Hermione before Winky interrupted her.
"Stop. Please," Winky said, tears welling in her eyes. "Mr. Harry Potter's Wheezy's Miney is not right. It is not right to force Winky to do something Winky does not want to do. Mr. Harry Potter made it clear that Winky is to help, but is not to serve. Mr. Harry Potter is not unkind like other wizards, is not mean to Winky. Mr. Harry Potter told Winky never to call him 'Master' said Winky is not his servant. Mr. Harry Potter says that Winky is his friend."
As she finished speaking, even Hermione was moved by the awe in Winky's voice at being called a friend by Harry. It obviously meant a great deal to Winky that Harry had taken her in to his service, and in fact, Winky already looked better than anyone remembered her looking since the Quidditch World Cup. Looking back and forth between Harry and Winky, seeing the joy this decision brought Winky and realizing that she had no room for argument, Hermione sighed and shook her head.
"I won't complain for now, but I will try to convince you that freedom is better Winky. You just didn't give it enough time."
Obviously relieved that Hermione was dropping the subject, Winky smiled and shook her head. "No, Mr. Harry Potter's Wheezy's Miney is wrong. I is not like Dobby, Dobby is weird house elf, but nice house elf. He is free. Winky is Mr. Harry Potter's. This is good."
Harry too was relieved that Hermione had dropped her crusade, even temporarily. Turning to Professor Dumbledore he saw that the headmaster was very pleased.
"Now, Professor, would you please explain why this was so important? This whole conversation started because of the portrait of that evil hag, and I believe that you have something in mind. Would you care to share this with us?"
A small chuckle escaped from Dumbledore's lips. "Very good, Harry, very good. Yes, as a matter of fact there are several reasons for my request, but the first one is to deal with this offensive portrait. I do not relish the thought of being the only one who can control this erratic woman. I think that you will find there are certain advantages to having a house elf, or two, in your service. If I may suggest this, why don't you ask Dobby and Winky to remove the portrait?"
"Okay," said Harry, grinning at the prospect of getting rid of this evil portrait. "Dobby, Winky, would you please remove this portrait from the wall? I do not want it there any more and would appreciate it if you would take it down."
Jumping at the chance to do their first official work for Harry, they both immediately grabbed on to the frame of the large portrait. It would not budge. They clamored all over the portrait, pulling at the corners, trying to pry it up from the sides. No success. Jumping back to the floor Dobby and Winky quietly conferred, oblivious to the interested stares from the humans gathered around them. Turning back to the portrait Winky grabbed hold of Dobby's hand. As one they stretched out their free hand and snapped their fingers in unison.
A dull glow suddenly appeared around the frame of the portrait. Frowning, the two house elves again snapped their fingers. The glow gradually became brighter and the portrait started to shake. Sirius' mother suddenly started roaring in inchoate fury.
"FILTH! ABOMINATION! Foul creatures, what are you doing? How dare you do this, you do not have the right! You do not have the power! I forbid it! You have no honor! As mistress of this house I order you foul, disgusting creatures to stop immediately."
Wincing at the harsh words Dobby and Winky flinched away from the portrait and the glow faded. Harry placed a kind hand on their shoulders and glared at the portrait.
"ENOUGH!" he roared. "It is you who is an abomination, a foul, disgusting memory of a sick and twisted disgrace. You and your fetish for dark and evil things, your obsession with purity has diseased this house and destroyed your family, destroyed your son. You are not the mistress of this house, you are merely a foul portrait of a thankfully dead woman who was warped and cruel. I am now the rightful owner of this house, I am the heir of the Black Family estate, and my word controls this house. I have asked for your portrait to be removed from this wall and my house elves are obeying my request. You have no power any more, you have no right to interfere. Your diseased ramblings will no longer haunt this house."
Encouraged by Harry's support, Winky and Dobby glared at the portrait and stood up. Firmly grasping each other's hand they quickly snapped their fingers in quick succession, in a percussive movement that sounded like the marching of a band. The glow around the portrait flared into brilliance. The portrait started shaking violently and pulling away from the wall.
Suddenly with a loud crack, the portrait snapped off of the wall and crashed to the floor. Harry, Ron, and Hermione scattered away from the massive portrait and Harry's house elves quickly grabbed hold of the portrait and looked up expectantly at Harry.
"Where does Mr. Harry Potter sir want Winky and Dobby to take the evil nasty portrait?" Winky asked with distaste.
"I want you to take it out back and destroy it. Break it apart, burn it, whatever you need to do to rid the world of that foul portrait forever."
Nodding feverishly, anxious to complete their first chore from Harry, the two house elves quickly scampered out through the kitchen with the large portrait. Sirius' mother was screaming at them the entire time, but the two dedicated house elves pointedly ignored her and quietly disappeared from view.
As Ron let out a small cheer at the newfound silence and the absence of the oppressive portrait, Harry realized that with some significant changes, this house could become a decent place to stay and it might not be as depressing as it was while Sirius was cooped up trying to hide from the Ministry.
Avoiding that line of thought that Harry knew would only depress him, he looked back over at Dumbledore and thanked him.
"I can't believe they were able to do that, but thank you Professor. I'm glad to get rid of that awful portrait. I think that I will have the two of them start improving the rest of the house by disposing of more of these offensive objects. It will take a while," Harry said, eyeing the horrendous display of house elf heads that decorated the entryway, "but it will be worth it."
"I agree Harry. I am quite pleased to have helped. Now, if you will excuse me I have a few tasks to complete before tomorrow's trials. I will see you there."
Dumbledore quietly turned and left the house. From outside Harry and the others could hear the silent pop that signaled Dumbledore's apparition. Turning to Ron and Hermione, Harry suggested that they start looking through Hermione's new library.
Calling into the kitchen to let Mrs. Weasley know that they would be upstairs, Harry, Ron, and Hermione started climbing up the stairs.
"Just a minute Ronald," called Mrs. Weasley. "I want your help here in the kitchen. Your sister is already helping with the dessert, and I want you to start making a salad. Plus I think that maybe Harry and Hermione could do without your help up in the library." She said that archly, but Harry couldn't help but grin at his friend's groan.
"Don't worry Ron, I won't try to steal her from you. Today anyway," Harry said smiling. "Plus, I think she's kind of attached to you for some reason. Merlin knows why."
Laughing at Ron's outraged scarlet face, Harry scampered up the stairs to avoid the feeble swing that Ron threw at his best friend while Hermione shook her head at the two of them.
"Ron, he's only teasing. He knows you'll react vividly, so he's pushing your buttons. Ignore him and he'll stop teasing us, otherwise he'll keep it up." Planting a quick kiss on his flaming cheek, she followed Harry up the stairs, but at a slower, sultrier pace. Behind her she heard Ron swallow loudly and she laughed throatily.
Finding Harry already in the library, Hermione closed the door behind her and swept her gaze around the room. Not sure where to start, she picked up a small book and casually flipped through it.
"Why do you delight in teasing him like that?" she asked. "Are you okay with us being together? We wanted to tell you earlier, but you were so upset and angry earlier this summer, and we are still figuring out how this all works."
Harry sensed that her casual tone of voice belied a serious concern. Harry realized that his opinion, his approval, was important to Hermione, vitally important. He was touched by the weight that his opinion meant, and knew precisely what to say.
"Hermione, I've been expecting this since at least second year, I'm just surprised you waited so long to tell Ron how he feels." Harry grinned as he finally got a small blush out of her. "You don't have to tell me that he's an idiot, I room with him, remember? I swear I was going to lock the two of you in the broom closet after that stupid Yule Ball, try and force it out of you. What took you so long?"
"Oh Harry, you approve? You're okay with it? With us? I don't want to hurt you, or exclude you. You are so important to me, to Ron. We don't want it to interfere with anything that needs to be done."
"Okay, first of all, yes I approve. I applaud it. I'm thrilled for both of you. Second, you two being together is brilliant! You are not excluding me. Erm, wait. Exclude me from some stuff, please? I don't want you two to start snogging in front of me all the time or worse. But this doesn't change anything between us. That is, unless, you're telling me you have, you know, feelings for ME as well. Because I couldn't do that to Ron, and I don't love you that way, sorry." He was grinning broadly at her as she glared at him.
"You wish Potter," she said, a small grin. "But as Dobby said, I'm 'Wheezy's Miney' no one else's!"
"Good," smiled Harry. "Let's not give Rita anything to drool over. But it doesn't mean anything is different. It's still the three of us against the world. Four if you add Ginny. And Neville and Luna too, I suppose," Harry said thoughtfully. "We'll work around it. I imagine it won't really stop your incessant bickering, but I refuse to referee any fights. You two work out any lovers' quarrels without me. But I assume you'll win them all."
Hermione flashed him a knowing grin and nodded her head at his guess. "Women usually do. Well, since we seem to have worked that out, what are we going to do about you?"
"What do you mean?" asked Harry cautiously. "I don't need a girlfriend, and there's no one I'm interested in. I have too much going on and since Cho, well, let's just say that's a distraction I don't need."
"Uh huh. Sure. We'll see Harry Potter. We'll see. But I was actually talking about YOU. I'm glad you had that breakdown, and that Ginny managed to talk some sense into you, but you haven't really talked about it since then. You're hiding your pain still, Harry, and you need to let it out. It's not healthy to keep it bottled up."
Hermione had picked up a small book and was casually leafing through it, pointedly not looking at Harry. She knew that if he viewed this as a confrontation or another form of intervention he would bottle everything up and probably transfer some of his rage in her direction. That was the last thing she wanted.
Hermione was so terrified for her friend, for Ron, for herself. The events at the Ministry impacted her dramatically. Events in her life since meeting Harry and Ron had brought her face to face with danger and evil, so she was acutely aware of the perils. But despite her willingness to assist her two best friends in the various adventures, Hermione's had not really placed herself right in evil's presence in such a dramatic way. None of their previous exploits had truly prepared her for the direct confrontation with the Deatheaters, and no amount of studying or learning could ever replace the knowledge she had gained from that evening.
More importantly, in Hermione's thinking, was the certainty she felt that she, Ron, Ginny, Luna, and Neville would surely be dead were it not for Harry. If Harry hadn't taught them how to fight with the D.A. sessions, they wouldn't have lasted a minute against Malfoy and his cronies. If Harry hadn't managed to think of a diversion and let them escape, they would have surely died in the narrow confines of the rows of prophecies. Malfoy would have won, Voldemort would have won, and they would all be dead, probably without the wizarding world even knowing something had happened.
So Hermione decided things needed to change. Most importantly she knew that Harry's pattern of taking everything onto his own shoulders needed to change. He was eating himself up over the burden, the guilt, the sorrow of Sirius' death, and maybe more. Hermione couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she knew that a lot of Harry's attitude had to do with things other than Sirius. There was always the Dursley's to blame, of course, and Voldemort. Hermione resolved herself to talk with Professor Dumbledore about it at the earliest opportunity, hoping to have him shed some light on this.
But helping Harry was first and foremost on her mind. Well, most of the time, when she wasn't finding herself daydreaming about a funny redhead that is.
Thoughts of Ron immediately sent a warm tingle around her heart, and she realized they were lucky to find each other, especially now. She just wished Harry would open his eyes and see that he needed a relationship like that too. Of course, she'd have to work on Ginny as well, since Ginny had seemingly convinced herself that she was over Harry. But Hermione knew better. Or at least she hoped she did.
Hermione hadn't realized how much her thoughts had wandered until she heard Harry's voice loudly ask if she was paying attention.
"Hello? Anyone in there?" asked Harry. "You make a profound statement like that and then ignore me when I start talking. Can Ron really be that interesting?"
Harry grinned a little, and a bright smile burst out on his face when he got a full-fledged blush on Hermione's cheeks.
"Victory!" he crowed. "This is definitely fun!"
"Oh shut it. For your information I was thinking about you, erm, for the most part. I'm worried about you Harry, we all are. We don't want to see you hurting, and even though you're better now, I can still see that you are suffering."
"It's not like it's been years, Herms, it's still raw, but it's better. I have accepted that it wasn't entirely my fault that Sirius died, though I certainly contributed to it. But he did know what he was doing, and he was trying to save me, all of us. I miss him, every day. I think I will always miss him, but Ginny was right. I can't let it destroy me, or they win. I've turned my grief into action, I have worked out a few plans with Dumbledore, and some he's not fully aware of, that will help me feel like I've achieved something in Sirius' name.
"And we have each other. You, Ron, Ginny, the Weasley's, we'll be together for the next few weeks, and then back at school. We'll have classes, the D.A., Quidditch, and all sorts of other stuff."
"Quidditch? But what about your stupid ban? Did Dumbledore get it lifted?" Hermione asked.
"Didn't you hear? Dumbledore overturned it. Said that the hag didn't have authority to give me a lifetime ban and forced the Ministry to lift it. He threatened to release some interesting information about Fudge's interference between Ludo Bagman and the goblins if I wasn't allowed to play again. Fudge crumpled faster than anything."
"Oh Harry, that's just thrilling! I'm so excited for you. Does anyone else know?"
"I'm not sure, Dumbledore didn't tell me if anyone else knew, but didn't tell me to keep it secret. But I'm sure McGonagall knows, and Hooch. But we'll find out when term starts if anyone else knows. We'll tell Ron and Ginny, after you help me explain to Ron that he's going to be captain this year."
"Captain? Ron? Why Harry, I'd have thought that you'd want to be captain."
"First, no one knows Quidditch better than Ron. He is an expert strategist and he's forgotten more about Quidditch than I ever want to remember. He's a natural. Plus, I don't think that I'll have time to do it, with the D.A. and other stuff I have to do. And I need to have Ron build up his confidence in leading people."
"Why?"
"You know, Hermione. Don't be daft. You know I am the central focus of Voldemort and his people. They have to get me. They want to get me. They need to get me. Since you and Ron are so thick and won't leave me alone, you have to be ready. There will be a time when we may need Ron to be in charge, to lead the battle. If he's not used to giving orders, if he's not used to thinking under pressure, he'll fail, and we may all fail.
"I know Quidditch isn't the same as fighting evil, we learned that at the Ministry. But it's not like we can ask a few Deatheaters to come to Hogwarts and help train us in beating them. So we look for the next closest thing. You and I will have the D.A., Ron needs this. Plus, I don't want it. I want to enjoy being Seeker and not have to worry about the whole game, just avoiding bludgers and finding the Snitch. It may be my only chance at having something carefree and fun for the next few years, I don't want to muck that up with having to be in charge of it."
Hermione looked thoughtfully at Harry. Her friend had changed a lot more than she had realized. He was so much more serious, deadly serious. And he was a lot more calculating than she had realized. His casual reference to plans and plots with Dumbledore, his behavior at the court that afternoon, Hermione could see some grand strategy at work, she just wasn't sure what it was. But her confidence in Harry was strong, she knew he would do the right thing.
Suddenly their heads both turned to the door as they heard a tremendously loud sound reverberating through the house. The entire place shook with the noise, and they felt a tingle as powerful magic raced through the building. Opening the door, Harry was shocked by the sound of a scream of agony that seemed to have no source. It was echoing throughout the house, bouncing back and forth along the hallways and up and down the stairs.
Harry raced down the stairs, followed closely by Hermione. As they reached the landing, a brilliant light momentarily blinded them both. Standing there, stunned by the noise and light, Harry looked around trying to find the source of the commotion.
With a soft pop Dobby and Winky appeared, both house elves looking glum. Seeing that their clothing was singed and their hands blackened, Harry bent down in concern.
"Dobby, Winky, what's wrong? Are you two okay?" he asked. "What was that noise, and the light?"
"Oh, Mr. Harry Potter sir, we is so sorry," Winky said, barely able to control the tears that threatened to flow. "We is following sirs orders and, well, nasty ugly evil Kreacher is trying to stop us. But we is following orders, so we destroyed the horrible mean picture. And Kreacher, well, Kreacher-"
"Kreacher wanted to be with his mistress," finished Dobby. "So he completed his service sir. He, well, he is no longer working for this house."
Dobby looked up at the hallway where the house elf heads were mounted, and Harry's eyes followed that motion. Harry realized that there was a new head up on the wall, and it took every fiber of his being to control his stomach at the sight.
Kreacher was up there, or Kreacher's head was up there. And for the first time that Harry had ever looked at the miserable house elf, he was smiling the happiest smile that Harry had ever seen. His service was complete to the noble house of Black, and he had finally received his promised reward.
"That's revolting," said Hermione. "Absolutely sick."
"I agree," said Harry. "Dobby, take them down, take them all down and bury them. Get rid of every head and bury them deep in the ground. I never want to see these again."
"With pleasure Harry Potter sir. Dobby is glad to obey."
With a snap of his fingers, Dobby, Winky, and all of the house elf trophies disappeared.
***
Dinner was a chaotic affair. Several members of the Order appeared to congratulate Harry for his speech at the trial, and also to enjoy one of Mrs. Weasley's finest efforts. The table was groaning at the weight of all the food, and everyone's spirits were up at the successful conviction of Lucius Malfoy. Mrs. Weasley had cast a few charms on the lights and they were merrily bobbing overhead, slowly changing colors to throw different lights around the room.
As the food dwindled and everyone gathered slowly drifted into the stupor of having eaten a sumptuous meal, Harry felt a peace fall over him that he hadn't felt for too long. The twins were huddled in a corner with Mundungus, probably plotting some shady scheme to aid their shop, and Mrs. Weasley was eyeing them with suspicion. However she oddly kept her opinions to herself and seemed content to just keep a careful eye on the three troublemakers.
Tonks was busy entertaining Hermione and Ginny with her usual mealtime game of taking on bizarre additions to her face and coloring her hair. Harry was again amazed at how spectacular the changes in her appearance were, and not for the first time did he envy her ability to change so easily. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Remus trying not to laugh at Tonks, and Harry decided to give him an out.
"Remus," he said suddenly. "I think it's time we had a talk. Can we go upstairs to the roof? I want to see the sky for some reason."
"Sure, Harry. My pleasure."
Quietly taking their leave from the table, and profusely thanking Mrs. Weasley for the superb meal, Harry and Remus made their way upstairs to the roof. Opening the creaky door, Harry was startled to see that they were much higher up than he would have thought. Seeing his bewildered expression, Remus chuckled.
"It's charmed, Harry. The last step up here compresses a lot of space, so we're about 9 or 10 stories higher than the rest of the house. Quite convenient, really, we can see around for quite a ways, but don't have to walk all the way up here."
"It's nice," Harry admitted. "Very peaceful up here, away from the noise, the crowd. Not that I mind them, of course," he said hastily. "But it's nice to have some quiet."
"This was Sirius' favorite part of the house. He would sit up here all night long when he could. He didn't sleep much, or for long. Too many memories of Azkaban would come rushing back. He told me that when he was a child he would escape up here to get away from his mother's ranting about who he'd marry, how he'd honor the Black family by marrying a pure blood. Even at a young age Sirius didn't belong here. He was so happy to escape when he got older, and lived near your Dad."
Remus' expression softened and he looked out at the night sky with a sad smile on his face.
"Those were fun times, Harry. We were at school and had no worries. Yes, Voldemort was rising, but we were too young to have to do anything. Looking back I know that Dumbledore was preparing us, because we trusted him so much and he trusted us. But we were still able to have fun. Our adventures were spectacular, and we always had as much fun re-telling them as we did doing it."
Remus sighed and looked at Harry, seeing the changed young man in front of him.
"But you wanted to talk about something else. What is it?"
Harry was quiet for a few moments, collecting his thoughts, looking out at the skyline and watching several owls float along the night sky.
"Lots of things, nothing, I don't know," admitted Harry. "I just, well, I have to make a decision about Wormtail. I didn't really think about it when I did what I did today, with Lucius. But I realize that the same thing is true for Wormtail. We can't kill him, despite everything he did, everything he deserves. I can't imagine letting him die in cold blood. So what do we do?"
"What you did today was spectacular Harry. And it was the right thing to do, I suppose. Dumbledore looked defeated when he declared the sentence. I saw him falter as he decreed Lucius' death. I don't think anyone else did, but my senses are stronger, better. I saw him about to drop, he was so burdened by guilt, by despair, by self-doubt. But you saved him, saved us all really.
"Your speech turned Dumbledore around. It was fascinating to watch. He seemed stronger, more powerful, happier. I could smell him switch from despair to love in a flash, and you saved him, you really did."
"Well, that's part of why I stopped him. But I didn't really think about Wormtail. I was only thinking about Professor Dumbledore, and the best way to punish Malfoy. But how do we punish Wormtail? He's barely above a Squib anyway, so taking away his power won't do as much to him. He has no money, no power. What do we do?"
"I don't know, Harry," sighed Remus. "I just want to kill him. He killed my friends, my pack if you will. He deserves a wretched death. But you're right, we can't kill him in cold blood. And we can't let him have a chance to escape. Maybe Dumbledore will have thought of something. But we won't have to worry about the rest of the Court. They'll go along with you and Dumbledore now."
"I'm counting on that," muttered Harry. "They owe me."
Remus pretended not to hear that, and took a deep breath, clearing the air out of his lungs.
"Enough of this, Harry. Let's talk about something else. Did I ever tell you about the time Sirius cast a love charm on your Dad and had your Dad convinced he was in love with that giant squid in the lake at school? James spent an entire weekend trying to communicate with it to confess his love until he figured out he'd been charmed by Sirius."
Remus' laughter was contagious and Harry soon found himself laughing with abandon as Remus continued telling stories about the pranks pulled by the Marauders while at Hogwarts. They continued talking for several hours, until early in the morning, when they decided to go to sleep. Both knew it would be another long day at court.
As two burly Aurors grasped Lucius by the arms he started writhing and struggling, trying to break free from their grip. Screaming in agony, he flailed his body about in an attempt to escape from his jailers.
Disgusted with his struggles, Madam Bones pulled out her wand and shouted "Stupefy!" at him. As the spell intersected with him, Lucius' body went limp and his head slumped forward, lolling against his chest.
As Dumbledore called the day's session to a close, Harry was overwhelmed by the number of witches and wizards that approached him to shake his hand and praise his speech. Several witches had tears in their eyes as they thanked and commended him for his courage and pitied his loss of parents and godfather. Wizards puffed out their chest and said they agreed with his decision, as if it was the only option that had been presented or they had offered it themselves.
Finally Mrs. Weasley grabbed his hand and firmly guided Harry out of the courtroom. Studiously ignoring several reporters, she took him to the fireplaces.
"You and I are going to the Burrow. I have a few emergency portkeys that will bring us to Headquarters to meet up with the rest. But we need to get you out of here, now."
Nodding his head and grabbing a handful of Floo powder, Harry marched to a fireplace and shouted "The Burrow!"
As he stepped in to the green flames, but before he disappeared he turned and saw the scowling face of Draco Malfoy glaring at him from a distance.
***
As soon as they arrived at the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley reached behind the family clock and pulled out a flaming red feather. Harry recognized this as a portkey, and they grabbed on to it and were whisked away to number 12, Grimmauld Place.
As the disorientation of traveling by portkey he normally felt quickly faded, Harry followed Mrs. Weasley into the drawing room.
"Why don't you sit down while I go make us a light snack. The others should arrive here soon, Arthur was going to bring them on the Underground."
Turning to walk to the kitchen, she looked back fondly at Harry.
"Oh, and Harry, I just couldn't be more proud of you than I was this afternoon. You were absolutely amazing. You saved Dumbledore. You saved us all, I think."
Suddenly exhausted from the mental and emotional strain of the day's events, Harry collapsed into a plush chair, leaning his head against the side arm. Still dazed at the reaction from those present at the courtroom, Harry was sorting out the events of the day, working them into his plan for his own trial at the end of the week. Realizing that this would help make things easier for the complete execution of his plan, Harry allowed himself another broad smile.
Hearing Mrs. Weasley rattling around in the kitchen in the background, Harry was surprised when he saw Kreacher shuffling into the room, his hands full of various disgusting mementoes of Sirius' family that hadn't been removed yet.
"Oh, sorry sir," Kreacher muttered "wretched excuse for a wizard that he is, destroying the noble Lord who has thankfully returned. Does Potter have any orders for me sir? Perhaps sir would like me to leave?"
"No, Kreacher," Harry said firmly. "You've already been given orders by Dumbledore never to leave this house again, and I am also giving you that order. As the rightful master of the Black Estate, you are never to leave this house. Until I figure out how to punish you for causing Sirius' death, you are to remain in this house, as much as that disgusts me."
"It disgusts me more than it does him, stupid fool, consorting with low- borns and mudbloods, half-breeds and senile wizards. He doesn't know how I danced with glee when I heard of the death of Mistress' wretched son. How I had a few moments of joy when I talked with the noble cousin."
"Enough Kreacher, get out of this room. Get out of my sight! Never come in to a room where I am unless I call for you. But you are never to leave this house. Do you understand?"
Compelled by the magic that bound his race, Kreacher reluctantly nodded at Harry's orders. Fleeing, the miserable little elf disappeared into the kitchen and crawled up into its room.
Sighing with disgust, Harry walked over to the front door. He could hear the twins half a block away and wanted to greet them all now that they had finally made it back to his house. Feeling his spirits pick up again at the sound of laughter from his friends, Harry threw open the door and was shocked.
Standing in the middle of the group, laughing louder than all the rest, was Dumbledore. Harry thought he had lost 20 years of age in the half hour that had passed since the trial of Lucius Malfoy ended. Surprised at the joyous sound coming out of the headmaster's mouth Harry barked out a burst of laughter, joining in with his friends.
As they quickly entered the house, their laughter filling the room, Harry's joy was quickly cut off as the portrait of Mrs. Black started screeching at the top of her lungs.
"FOULNESS! FILTH! TRAITORS! ABOMINATIONS IN MY HOME! HOW DARE YOU, MUDBLOOD, IN MY HOME. DISGUSTING RACE TRAITORS!" The sound was deafening and all laughter ceased as everyone scrambled out of the room to avoid listening to the terrible sounds and hateful words.
Everyone that is, except Harry and Dumbledore. Harry stared with loathing at the portrait and started walking over to close the curtains when Dumbledore stopped him by placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. Dumbledore then cleared his throat in a meaningful way, power radiating from him, as well as contempt. Harry sensed the headmaster's presence and realized that the portrait had finally stopped screaming as she too took notice of Dumbledore. Looking down at him scornfully she opened her mouth as if to start screaming again but stopped suddenly as Dumbledore held up his hand, his finger pointing into the air as if in warning.
Harry silently watched as Dumbledore turned to look at Harry thoughtfully.
"Harry, I realize I forgot to discuss something with you at your birthday party. Something that will help you deal with the portrait and other issues with your new home. I would not call this a present, because it is not something I can give you, instead let us call it an opportunity."
"Um, sure, Professor," Harry said slowly. "But, erm, I'm not sure what you are talking about."
"Of course Harry," said Dumbledore while smiling. "Let me explain, I would like you to consider taking on an employee, one of mine to be precise, to help you complete the restoration of this house before you return to Hogwarts."
"I don't know professor, who did you want me to hire? I'd feel funny about having Hagrid work for me, or any of the professors."
"Oh no, Harry. No, that wouldn't do at all. You need someone with rather specialized skills, someone with different magic than we possess. This individual is someone you know quite well, I believe." Dumbledore's was quite amused and his blue eyes were twinkling merrily.
Harry felt as if he could physically feel the light bulb that seemed to flash in his head. Staring incredulously at his headmaster a small grin appeared on his face as well.
"You mean Dobby sir? You think he'd want to come work for me?"
"I think it would take a flock of thestrals to keep him away if we were to suggest it, Harry. If you agree, I will call him to us immediately."
Harry stared into drawing room, thinking about Dumbledore's offer. Of course he liked Dobby, the house elf certainly had an attachment to Harry and it was kind of nice. And Harry did feel a certain amount of responsibility for Dobby since he had freed him from the clutches of the Malfoy family during second year. Dobby had even tried to save Harry from the evil plot Lucius had crafted with the diary.
And during Harry's fourth year, Dobby had helped with the second task by providing the gillyweed, which enabled Harry to swim underwater to save Ron and the others from the merpeople. Most importantly, Dobby had helped find the Room of Requirement and tried to warn Harry about Umbridge's attack on the DA. Somehow they had forged a connection, a bond, and Harry realized that this would be a good idea. Plus, it would give him a set of hands that could help clean up the house. Of course, Harry wasn't entirely aware of how much help that would be considering Dobby's penchant for trying to help a little too much.
Nodding his head in agreement, Harry looked at the headmaster. "Yes, professor, that would be a good idea. Let's ask Dobby though. I know he likes working for you, I don't want to force him or try to trick him. We'll ask him straight out."
Smiling, Dumbledore held out his hand and quickly snapped his fingers three times. Seconds later Harry heard a soft pop and Dobby appeared in the middle of the entryway.
"Headmaster is calling Dobby, sir? What can Dobby do for you sir?" The familiar house elf appeared just as Harry remembered him. Dobby was wearing an odd collection of clothing, right down to the mismatched socks Harry had given him for Christmas. As Dobby turned and saw Harry, the house elf's eyes opened widely.
"Harry Potter! Dobby is so pleased to see Mr. Harry Potter sir!" Jumping up into the air and grasping Harry's arm, Dobby began shaking it vigorously. "Dobby is very pleased to see you sir, Dobby knows you have had a bad summer with wretched evil wizards attacking you and unfriendly relatives being mean to poor Harry Potter. How is Mr. Harry Potter sir?"
Smiling kindly at him, Harry gently withdrew his arm so that Dobby would stop shaking it so much. "I'm fine Dobby, I'm fine. Listen, Professor Dumbledore and I have a question for you and we want you to think about it before you answer, okay?"
If possible Dobby's eyes grew even wider. "Harry Potter is asking Dobby a question? Harry Potter wants Dobby's opinion? Oh Harry Potter is such a kind and wonderful wizard, the greatest wizard who ever lived is Harry Potter he is."
Jumping around in joy, Harry had to wait for several minutes while Dobby released some of his nervous energy.
"All right Dobby, all right. Look, this house we are in is now mine. I inherited it from my godfather, Sirius. But I need some help cleaning it up and taking care of it for the rest of the summer. Would you want to come work for me for the rest of the summer? I can pay you as much as you want, and you can take as many days off as you want as well. Now I want you to think about it before you respond."
Dobby exploded with joy, prancing about, jumping, laughing, and finally stood shaking with unshed tears standing in his eyes, looking up at Harry and Professor Dumbledore.
"Sirs, it would be the greatest honor of Dobby's life to be able to work for Mr. Harry Potter in his home. Dobby is not worthy of this great honor. But Dobby is pleased that Mr. Harry Potter has made this kind and generous offer. If Headmaster Dumbledore does not object, Dobby would very much like to accept. And Mr. Potter does not need to pay Dobby, sir. Working for such an honorable wizard is payment enough, and Dobby would never want for anything while working for Harry Potter. Dobby would help Harry Potter with anything!"
Harry and Dumbledore stood grinning at the trembling house elf, careful not to look at each other for fear of laughing at the obvious joy this offer had brought to Dobby. Finally Dumbledore straightened his shoulders and looked down at Dobby.
"Then, Dobby the House Elf, I formally release you from your contract with me and free you to make whatever choice about employment you may make. You will always be welcome at Hogwarts if you ever want to return."
"Dobby," Harry said, still smiling. "I would like to offer you a position, with the same salary and benefits that you negotiated with Professor Dumbledore at Hogwarts. You will be paid and get days off, and we will design a more appropriate uniform for you so that you don't have to wear such a mix of clothing. Maybe Mrs. Weasley, Ginny and Hermione can help us make something for you."
Suddenly a flash of insight came upon Harry. He turned to Dumbledore.
"Sir, do you think you could spare another of your employees? I think Dobby and Winky would like to continue working together, and this is a large house."
Once again Harry and Dumbledore had to avoid looking directly at each other. Dobby's obvious enthusiasm for the idea was touching and they couldn't stand the thought of Dobby misunderstanding their humor at the situation. As Dumbledore nodded his head, Dobby jumped for joy, again making a scene to demonstrate his happiness.
"Oh sirs! Oh Dobby would be so very happy! Yes, Dobby will accept the generous offer of Harry Potter, sir, and yes, Dobby would very much like to work with Winky at Harry Potter's house."
Once again Dumbledore snapped his fingers and Winky appeared with a pop. Looking around at the three of them gathered in front of her, Harry watched as she gulped nervously.
"Yes, Headmaster, sir? What can Winky do for you sir?"
Before Dumbledore could explain, Dobby grabbed Winky and started explaining the offer he had just been made. Winky was staring incredulously at the three of them as Dobby finished. She finally turned to look straight at Harry.
"Winky does not believe this. Can it be true? Winky would not understand why such a good wizard would want her in his service after all the bad things that have happened to him as a result of Winky's mistakes. Winky cannot accept this kind offer." She turned sadly away from the trio standing before her.
Harry sensed that she was about to disappear and return to Hogwarts. His heart ached at the miserable look that appeared on Dobby's face. Harry quickly reached out his hand and gently placed it on Winky's shoulder.
"Wait Winky, please. I am serious about this. I want you to come work for me, to help me with my house, to clean it, to maintain it. Please, I need you to do this."
Winky's body started shivering. "Sir, I cannot do that. I am not like Dobby. I cannot work for you, be PAID. It is not right. I understand that I have to accept money from the Headmaster, but that is because I work for a school, not a wizard or a family. But I cannot be paid by a wizard, even one as great as Harry Potter." Tears welled in her eyes, as she took a deep breath, preparing to disappear.
"Winky," Harry said quietly. "What if, instead of working for me, what if instead of being paid, what if I took you in to my service? What if you became my house elf and worked here?"
Winky stared at Harry wordlessly. She stopped shivering and just stared at him. Seconds, then minutes rolled by, finally she blinked.
"Harry Potter would do that for Winky? Harry Potter would accept Winky into his service? Despite all the bad things that Winky has done? Betrayed her last master? Been paid to work? Worn clothes? Harry Potter is a kind and generous wizard. Winky would accept that offer, if Harry Potter were to make it."
Looking at Dumbledore, who firmly nodded his head in agreement, Harry smiled.
"Winky, I would like to accept you into my service as my house elf. Will you do that?"
Smiling a broad smile, Harry saw the weight that had burdened Winky ever since she had left the service of the Crouch family disappear. The change to Winky was marvelous to watch, she looked happier than Harry remembered ever seeing her, she was almost as jubilant as Dobby.
"Yes sir! Oh yes, Harry Potter! Yes I will enter your service! Master is too kind and generous to give Winky a second chance, and Winky will do whatever Master asks of her to show her loyalty!"
"My first condition is that you never, ever call me 'Master' or anything like that. You can call me 'Harry' or 'Harry Potter' or 'Mr. Harry Potter' or anything you want, but not 'Master.' You are my friend Winky, Dobby too, and I will not allow you to think of yourself as less than me. I want you to work for me because it will make you happy, because you want to. But you are not a servant. You have value and you have my respect. Is that clear?"
Nodding her head thoughtfully, Winky agreed before Dobby gave a loud squeal of delight and grabbed Winky by the arms. Together they danced around the room their laughter infectious, causing Harry and Dumbledore to join in. The noise brought out the Ron and Hermione from the kitchen to investigate. The sight of two house elves, Harry, and Professor Dumbledore dancing around in the entryway was too much for them and they joined in the laughter until Hermione finally asked what was causing the celebration.
"Well, I've just asked Dobby and Winky to come work for me, and they have agreed," Harry said turning to her. He saw a flash of determined anger pop up in her eyes as she stared at him before deciding what to say.
"I will assume, Harry, that you will be paying both of them," she asked coolly. "After all I can't believe that you would enslave two free house elves."
Harry's smile faltered and he heard Winky gasp and Dobby groan. "Well, Hermione, I will be paying Dobby. The same wages as he was making at Hogwarts, since he didn't want any more. But Winky refused, she wouldn't consider it."
"What?!?" Hermione exclaimed. "So you've allowed her to give up her freedom, to become your slave? I though better of you Harry."
"NO!" shouted Winky. "Miss will not speak badly of Mr. Harry Potter sir. Miss does not understand what it is like to be a house elf. Miss does not know what it is like to be a FREE house elf. Winky could not stand it. Winky is not like Dobby, Winky was not liking the freedom, the wages, the time off. Winky loves to do things for her family, and Mr. Harry Potter is now her charge."
"But Winky, it's not right," began Hermione before Winky interrupted her.
"Stop. Please," Winky said, tears welling in her eyes. "Mr. Harry Potter's Wheezy's Miney is not right. It is not right to force Winky to do something Winky does not want to do. Mr. Harry Potter made it clear that Winky is to help, but is not to serve. Mr. Harry Potter is not unkind like other wizards, is not mean to Winky. Mr. Harry Potter told Winky never to call him 'Master' said Winky is not his servant. Mr. Harry Potter says that Winky is his friend."
As she finished speaking, even Hermione was moved by the awe in Winky's voice at being called a friend by Harry. It obviously meant a great deal to Winky that Harry had taken her in to his service, and in fact, Winky already looked better than anyone remembered her looking since the Quidditch World Cup. Looking back and forth between Harry and Winky, seeing the joy this decision brought Winky and realizing that she had no room for argument, Hermione sighed and shook her head.
"I won't complain for now, but I will try to convince you that freedom is better Winky. You just didn't give it enough time."
Obviously relieved that Hermione was dropping the subject, Winky smiled and shook her head. "No, Mr. Harry Potter's Wheezy's Miney is wrong. I is not like Dobby, Dobby is weird house elf, but nice house elf. He is free. Winky is Mr. Harry Potter's. This is good."
Harry too was relieved that Hermione had dropped her crusade, even temporarily. Turning to Professor Dumbledore he saw that the headmaster was very pleased.
"Now, Professor, would you please explain why this was so important? This whole conversation started because of the portrait of that evil hag, and I believe that you have something in mind. Would you care to share this with us?"
A small chuckle escaped from Dumbledore's lips. "Very good, Harry, very good. Yes, as a matter of fact there are several reasons for my request, but the first one is to deal with this offensive portrait. I do not relish the thought of being the only one who can control this erratic woman. I think that you will find there are certain advantages to having a house elf, or two, in your service. If I may suggest this, why don't you ask Dobby and Winky to remove the portrait?"
"Okay," said Harry, grinning at the prospect of getting rid of this evil portrait. "Dobby, Winky, would you please remove this portrait from the wall? I do not want it there any more and would appreciate it if you would take it down."
Jumping at the chance to do their first official work for Harry, they both immediately grabbed on to the frame of the large portrait. It would not budge. They clamored all over the portrait, pulling at the corners, trying to pry it up from the sides. No success. Jumping back to the floor Dobby and Winky quietly conferred, oblivious to the interested stares from the humans gathered around them. Turning back to the portrait Winky grabbed hold of Dobby's hand. As one they stretched out their free hand and snapped their fingers in unison.
A dull glow suddenly appeared around the frame of the portrait. Frowning, the two house elves again snapped their fingers. The glow gradually became brighter and the portrait started to shake. Sirius' mother suddenly started roaring in inchoate fury.
"FILTH! ABOMINATION! Foul creatures, what are you doing? How dare you do this, you do not have the right! You do not have the power! I forbid it! You have no honor! As mistress of this house I order you foul, disgusting creatures to stop immediately."
Wincing at the harsh words Dobby and Winky flinched away from the portrait and the glow faded. Harry placed a kind hand on their shoulders and glared at the portrait.
"ENOUGH!" he roared. "It is you who is an abomination, a foul, disgusting memory of a sick and twisted disgrace. You and your fetish for dark and evil things, your obsession with purity has diseased this house and destroyed your family, destroyed your son. You are not the mistress of this house, you are merely a foul portrait of a thankfully dead woman who was warped and cruel. I am now the rightful owner of this house, I am the heir of the Black Family estate, and my word controls this house. I have asked for your portrait to be removed from this wall and my house elves are obeying my request. You have no power any more, you have no right to interfere. Your diseased ramblings will no longer haunt this house."
Encouraged by Harry's support, Winky and Dobby glared at the portrait and stood up. Firmly grasping each other's hand they quickly snapped their fingers in quick succession, in a percussive movement that sounded like the marching of a band. The glow around the portrait flared into brilliance. The portrait started shaking violently and pulling away from the wall.
Suddenly with a loud crack, the portrait snapped off of the wall and crashed to the floor. Harry, Ron, and Hermione scattered away from the massive portrait and Harry's house elves quickly grabbed hold of the portrait and looked up expectantly at Harry.
"Where does Mr. Harry Potter sir want Winky and Dobby to take the evil nasty portrait?" Winky asked with distaste.
"I want you to take it out back and destroy it. Break it apart, burn it, whatever you need to do to rid the world of that foul portrait forever."
Nodding feverishly, anxious to complete their first chore from Harry, the two house elves quickly scampered out through the kitchen with the large portrait. Sirius' mother was screaming at them the entire time, but the two dedicated house elves pointedly ignored her and quietly disappeared from view.
As Ron let out a small cheer at the newfound silence and the absence of the oppressive portrait, Harry realized that with some significant changes, this house could become a decent place to stay and it might not be as depressing as it was while Sirius was cooped up trying to hide from the Ministry.
Avoiding that line of thought that Harry knew would only depress him, he looked back over at Dumbledore and thanked him.
"I can't believe they were able to do that, but thank you Professor. I'm glad to get rid of that awful portrait. I think that I will have the two of them start improving the rest of the house by disposing of more of these offensive objects. It will take a while," Harry said, eyeing the horrendous display of house elf heads that decorated the entryway, "but it will be worth it."
"I agree Harry. I am quite pleased to have helped. Now, if you will excuse me I have a few tasks to complete before tomorrow's trials. I will see you there."
Dumbledore quietly turned and left the house. From outside Harry and the others could hear the silent pop that signaled Dumbledore's apparition. Turning to Ron and Hermione, Harry suggested that they start looking through Hermione's new library.
Calling into the kitchen to let Mrs. Weasley know that they would be upstairs, Harry, Ron, and Hermione started climbing up the stairs.
"Just a minute Ronald," called Mrs. Weasley. "I want your help here in the kitchen. Your sister is already helping with the dessert, and I want you to start making a salad. Plus I think that maybe Harry and Hermione could do without your help up in the library." She said that archly, but Harry couldn't help but grin at his friend's groan.
"Don't worry Ron, I won't try to steal her from you. Today anyway," Harry said smiling. "Plus, I think she's kind of attached to you for some reason. Merlin knows why."
Laughing at Ron's outraged scarlet face, Harry scampered up the stairs to avoid the feeble swing that Ron threw at his best friend while Hermione shook her head at the two of them.
"Ron, he's only teasing. He knows you'll react vividly, so he's pushing your buttons. Ignore him and he'll stop teasing us, otherwise he'll keep it up." Planting a quick kiss on his flaming cheek, she followed Harry up the stairs, but at a slower, sultrier pace. Behind her she heard Ron swallow loudly and she laughed throatily.
Finding Harry already in the library, Hermione closed the door behind her and swept her gaze around the room. Not sure where to start, she picked up a small book and casually flipped through it.
"Why do you delight in teasing him like that?" she asked. "Are you okay with us being together? We wanted to tell you earlier, but you were so upset and angry earlier this summer, and we are still figuring out how this all works."
Harry sensed that her casual tone of voice belied a serious concern. Harry realized that his opinion, his approval, was important to Hermione, vitally important. He was touched by the weight that his opinion meant, and knew precisely what to say.
"Hermione, I've been expecting this since at least second year, I'm just surprised you waited so long to tell Ron how he feels." Harry grinned as he finally got a small blush out of her. "You don't have to tell me that he's an idiot, I room with him, remember? I swear I was going to lock the two of you in the broom closet after that stupid Yule Ball, try and force it out of you. What took you so long?"
"Oh Harry, you approve? You're okay with it? With us? I don't want to hurt you, or exclude you. You are so important to me, to Ron. We don't want it to interfere with anything that needs to be done."
"Okay, first of all, yes I approve. I applaud it. I'm thrilled for both of you. Second, you two being together is brilliant! You are not excluding me. Erm, wait. Exclude me from some stuff, please? I don't want you two to start snogging in front of me all the time or worse. But this doesn't change anything between us. That is, unless, you're telling me you have, you know, feelings for ME as well. Because I couldn't do that to Ron, and I don't love you that way, sorry." He was grinning broadly at her as she glared at him.
"You wish Potter," she said, a small grin. "But as Dobby said, I'm 'Wheezy's Miney' no one else's!"
"Good," smiled Harry. "Let's not give Rita anything to drool over. But it doesn't mean anything is different. It's still the three of us against the world. Four if you add Ginny. And Neville and Luna too, I suppose," Harry said thoughtfully. "We'll work around it. I imagine it won't really stop your incessant bickering, but I refuse to referee any fights. You two work out any lovers' quarrels without me. But I assume you'll win them all."
Hermione flashed him a knowing grin and nodded her head at his guess. "Women usually do. Well, since we seem to have worked that out, what are we going to do about you?"
"What do you mean?" asked Harry cautiously. "I don't need a girlfriend, and there's no one I'm interested in. I have too much going on and since Cho, well, let's just say that's a distraction I don't need."
"Uh huh. Sure. We'll see Harry Potter. We'll see. But I was actually talking about YOU. I'm glad you had that breakdown, and that Ginny managed to talk some sense into you, but you haven't really talked about it since then. You're hiding your pain still, Harry, and you need to let it out. It's not healthy to keep it bottled up."
Hermione had picked up a small book and was casually leafing through it, pointedly not looking at Harry. She knew that if he viewed this as a confrontation or another form of intervention he would bottle everything up and probably transfer some of his rage in her direction. That was the last thing she wanted.
Hermione was so terrified for her friend, for Ron, for herself. The events at the Ministry impacted her dramatically. Events in her life since meeting Harry and Ron had brought her face to face with danger and evil, so she was acutely aware of the perils. But despite her willingness to assist her two best friends in the various adventures, Hermione's had not really placed herself right in evil's presence in such a dramatic way. None of their previous exploits had truly prepared her for the direct confrontation with the Deatheaters, and no amount of studying or learning could ever replace the knowledge she had gained from that evening.
More importantly, in Hermione's thinking, was the certainty she felt that she, Ron, Ginny, Luna, and Neville would surely be dead were it not for Harry. If Harry hadn't taught them how to fight with the D.A. sessions, they wouldn't have lasted a minute against Malfoy and his cronies. If Harry hadn't managed to think of a diversion and let them escape, they would have surely died in the narrow confines of the rows of prophecies. Malfoy would have won, Voldemort would have won, and they would all be dead, probably without the wizarding world even knowing something had happened.
So Hermione decided things needed to change. Most importantly she knew that Harry's pattern of taking everything onto his own shoulders needed to change. He was eating himself up over the burden, the guilt, the sorrow of Sirius' death, and maybe more. Hermione couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she knew that a lot of Harry's attitude had to do with things other than Sirius. There was always the Dursley's to blame, of course, and Voldemort. Hermione resolved herself to talk with Professor Dumbledore about it at the earliest opportunity, hoping to have him shed some light on this.
But helping Harry was first and foremost on her mind. Well, most of the time, when she wasn't finding herself daydreaming about a funny redhead that is.
Thoughts of Ron immediately sent a warm tingle around her heart, and she realized they were lucky to find each other, especially now. She just wished Harry would open his eyes and see that he needed a relationship like that too. Of course, she'd have to work on Ginny as well, since Ginny had seemingly convinced herself that she was over Harry. But Hermione knew better. Or at least she hoped she did.
Hermione hadn't realized how much her thoughts had wandered until she heard Harry's voice loudly ask if she was paying attention.
"Hello? Anyone in there?" asked Harry. "You make a profound statement like that and then ignore me when I start talking. Can Ron really be that interesting?"
Harry grinned a little, and a bright smile burst out on his face when he got a full-fledged blush on Hermione's cheeks.
"Victory!" he crowed. "This is definitely fun!"
"Oh shut it. For your information I was thinking about you, erm, for the most part. I'm worried about you Harry, we all are. We don't want to see you hurting, and even though you're better now, I can still see that you are suffering."
"It's not like it's been years, Herms, it's still raw, but it's better. I have accepted that it wasn't entirely my fault that Sirius died, though I certainly contributed to it. But he did know what he was doing, and he was trying to save me, all of us. I miss him, every day. I think I will always miss him, but Ginny was right. I can't let it destroy me, or they win. I've turned my grief into action, I have worked out a few plans with Dumbledore, and some he's not fully aware of, that will help me feel like I've achieved something in Sirius' name.
"And we have each other. You, Ron, Ginny, the Weasley's, we'll be together for the next few weeks, and then back at school. We'll have classes, the D.A., Quidditch, and all sorts of other stuff."
"Quidditch? But what about your stupid ban? Did Dumbledore get it lifted?" Hermione asked.
"Didn't you hear? Dumbledore overturned it. Said that the hag didn't have authority to give me a lifetime ban and forced the Ministry to lift it. He threatened to release some interesting information about Fudge's interference between Ludo Bagman and the goblins if I wasn't allowed to play again. Fudge crumpled faster than anything."
"Oh Harry, that's just thrilling! I'm so excited for you. Does anyone else know?"
"I'm not sure, Dumbledore didn't tell me if anyone else knew, but didn't tell me to keep it secret. But I'm sure McGonagall knows, and Hooch. But we'll find out when term starts if anyone else knows. We'll tell Ron and Ginny, after you help me explain to Ron that he's going to be captain this year."
"Captain? Ron? Why Harry, I'd have thought that you'd want to be captain."
"First, no one knows Quidditch better than Ron. He is an expert strategist and he's forgotten more about Quidditch than I ever want to remember. He's a natural. Plus, I don't think that I'll have time to do it, with the D.A. and other stuff I have to do. And I need to have Ron build up his confidence in leading people."
"Why?"
"You know, Hermione. Don't be daft. You know I am the central focus of Voldemort and his people. They have to get me. They want to get me. They need to get me. Since you and Ron are so thick and won't leave me alone, you have to be ready. There will be a time when we may need Ron to be in charge, to lead the battle. If he's not used to giving orders, if he's not used to thinking under pressure, he'll fail, and we may all fail.
"I know Quidditch isn't the same as fighting evil, we learned that at the Ministry. But it's not like we can ask a few Deatheaters to come to Hogwarts and help train us in beating them. So we look for the next closest thing. You and I will have the D.A., Ron needs this. Plus, I don't want it. I want to enjoy being Seeker and not have to worry about the whole game, just avoiding bludgers and finding the Snitch. It may be my only chance at having something carefree and fun for the next few years, I don't want to muck that up with having to be in charge of it."
Hermione looked thoughtfully at Harry. Her friend had changed a lot more than she had realized. He was so much more serious, deadly serious. And he was a lot more calculating than she had realized. His casual reference to plans and plots with Dumbledore, his behavior at the court that afternoon, Hermione could see some grand strategy at work, she just wasn't sure what it was. But her confidence in Harry was strong, she knew he would do the right thing.
Suddenly their heads both turned to the door as they heard a tremendously loud sound reverberating through the house. The entire place shook with the noise, and they felt a tingle as powerful magic raced through the building. Opening the door, Harry was shocked by the sound of a scream of agony that seemed to have no source. It was echoing throughout the house, bouncing back and forth along the hallways and up and down the stairs.
Harry raced down the stairs, followed closely by Hermione. As they reached the landing, a brilliant light momentarily blinded them both. Standing there, stunned by the noise and light, Harry looked around trying to find the source of the commotion.
With a soft pop Dobby and Winky appeared, both house elves looking glum. Seeing that their clothing was singed and their hands blackened, Harry bent down in concern.
"Dobby, Winky, what's wrong? Are you two okay?" he asked. "What was that noise, and the light?"
"Oh, Mr. Harry Potter sir, we is so sorry," Winky said, barely able to control the tears that threatened to flow. "We is following sirs orders and, well, nasty ugly evil Kreacher is trying to stop us. But we is following orders, so we destroyed the horrible mean picture. And Kreacher, well, Kreacher-"
"Kreacher wanted to be with his mistress," finished Dobby. "So he completed his service sir. He, well, he is no longer working for this house."
Dobby looked up at the hallway where the house elf heads were mounted, and Harry's eyes followed that motion. Harry realized that there was a new head up on the wall, and it took every fiber of his being to control his stomach at the sight.
Kreacher was up there, or Kreacher's head was up there. And for the first time that Harry had ever looked at the miserable house elf, he was smiling the happiest smile that Harry had ever seen. His service was complete to the noble house of Black, and he had finally received his promised reward.
"That's revolting," said Hermione. "Absolutely sick."
"I agree," said Harry. "Dobby, take them down, take them all down and bury them. Get rid of every head and bury them deep in the ground. I never want to see these again."
"With pleasure Harry Potter sir. Dobby is glad to obey."
With a snap of his fingers, Dobby, Winky, and all of the house elf trophies disappeared.
***
Dinner was a chaotic affair. Several members of the Order appeared to congratulate Harry for his speech at the trial, and also to enjoy one of Mrs. Weasley's finest efforts. The table was groaning at the weight of all the food, and everyone's spirits were up at the successful conviction of Lucius Malfoy. Mrs. Weasley had cast a few charms on the lights and they were merrily bobbing overhead, slowly changing colors to throw different lights around the room.
As the food dwindled and everyone gathered slowly drifted into the stupor of having eaten a sumptuous meal, Harry felt a peace fall over him that he hadn't felt for too long. The twins were huddled in a corner with Mundungus, probably plotting some shady scheme to aid their shop, and Mrs. Weasley was eyeing them with suspicion. However she oddly kept her opinions to herself and seemed content to just keep a careful eye on the three troublemakers.
Tonks was busy entertaining Hermione and Ginny with her usual mealtime game of taking on bizarre additions to her face and coloring her hair. Harry was again amazed at how spectacular the changes in her appearance were, and not for the first time did he envy her ability to change so easily. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Remus trying not to laugh at Tonks, and Harry decided to give him an out.
"Remus," he said suddenly. "I think it's time we had a talk. Can we go upstairs to the roof? I want to see the sky for some reason."
"Sure, Harry. My pleasure."
Quietly taking their leave from the table, and profusely thanking Mrs. Weasley for the superb meal, Harry and Remus made their way upstairs to the roof. Opening the creaky door, Harry was startled to see that they were much higher up than he would have thought. Seeing his bewildered expression, Remus chuckled.
"It's charmed, Harry. The last step up here compresses a lot of space, so we're about 9 or 10 stories higher than the rest of the house. Quite convenient, really, we can see around for quite a ways, but don't have to walk all the way up here."
"It's nice," Harry admitted. "Very peaceful up here, away from the noise, the crowd. Not that I mind them, of course," he said hastily. "But it's nice to have some quiet."
"This was Sirius' favorite part of the house. He would sit up here all night long when he could. He didn't sleep much, or for long. Too many memories of Azkaban would come rushing back. He told me that when he was a child he would escape up here to get away from his mother's ranting about who he'd marry, how he'd honor the Black family by marrying a pure blood. Even at a young age Sirius didn't belong here. He was so happy to escape when he got older, and lived near your Dad."
Remus' expression softened and he looked out at the night sky with a sad smile on his face.
"Those were fun times, Harry. We were at school and had no worries. Yes, Voldemort was rising, but we were too young to have to do anything. Looking back I know that Dumbledore was preparing us, because we trusted him so much and he trusted us. But we were still able to have fun. Our adventures were spectacular, and we always had as much fun re-telling them as we did doing it."
Remus sighed and looked at Harry, seeing the changed young man in front of him.
"But you wanted to talk about something else. What is it?"
Harry was quiet for a few moments, collecting his thoughts, looking out at the skyline and watching several owls float along the night sky.
"Lots of things, nothing, I don't know," admitted Harry. "I just, well, I have to make a decision about Wormtail. I didn't really think about it when I did what I did today, with Lucius. But I realize that the same thing is true for Wormtail. We can't kill him, despite everything he did, everything he deserves. I can't imagine letting him die in cold blood. So what do we do?"
"What you did today was spectacular Harry. And it was the right thing to do, I suppose. Dumbledore looked defeated when he declared the sentence. I saw him falter as he decreed Lucius' death. I don't think anyone else did, but my senses are stronger, better. I saw him about to drop, he was so burdened by guilt, by despair, by self-doubt. But you saved him, saved us all really.
"Your speech turned Dumbledore around. It was fascinating to watch. He seemed stronger, more powerful, happier. I could smell him switch from despair to love in a flash, and you saved him, you really did."
"Well, that's part of why I stopped him. But I didn't really think about Wormtail. I was only thinking about Professor Dumbledore, and the best way to punish Malfoy. But how do we punish Wormtail? He's barely above a Squib anyway, so taking away his power won't do as much to him. He has no money, no power. What do we do?"
"I don't know, Harry," sighed Remus. "I just want to kill him. He killed my friends, my pack if you will. He deserves a wretched death. But you're right, we can't kill him in cold blood. And we can't let him have a chance to escape. Maybe Dumbledore will have thought of something. But we won't have to worry about the rest of the Court. They'll go along with you and Dumbledore now."
"I'm counting on that," muttered Harry. "They owe me."
Remus pretended not to hear that, and took a deep breath, clearing the air out of his lungs.
"Enough of this, Harry. Let's talk about something else. Did I ever tell you about the time Sirius cast a love charm on your Dad and had your Dad convinced he was in love with that giant squid in the lake at school? James spent an entire weekend trying to communicate with it to confess his love until he figured out he'd been charmed by Sirius."
Remus' laughter was contagious and Harry soon found himself laughing with abandon as Remus continued telling stories about the pranks pulled by the Marauders while at Hogwarts. They continued talking for several hours, until early in the morning, when they decided to go to sleep. Both knew it would be another long day at court.