A couple of weeks passed with Hermione and Harry training. To the outside observer, it would seem that neither had the upper hand, yet Harry almost always own. "I keep telling you Hermione, you leave your right side open to much."
Hermione glared at him, "the only person who has the ability to exploit it is you Harry. Not Even Remus and Tonks can do it." This was their second duel in which Harry didn't pull his punches. While Harry was not the type to treat her lightly and be defeated, he rarely used anything that she didn't know.
Harry birthday was coming up, which Harry forgot. Fortunately for him, no one else did. There was a big party planned at Grimmauld Place that was being kept under wraps so as to be a surprise. Hermione wanted him to relax, but thought the surprise party wouldn't help.
Hermione had started realizing that she and Harry were very capable of understanding each other with little actually said. The first instance was a week ago when they had carried on a conversation that was only half in words. Hermione wouldn't have noticed if Tonks hadn't of been there and asked what they were talking about.
Several other times Hermione had noticed that the two of them were capable of conversing without actually being aware that thoughts were not completely expressed. She had witnessed a similar event watching Winky talking with Harry.
Winky was opposed to throwing the party, but relented when she realized that they would go around her. Mrs. Weasley wanted to bake the cake, but Winky wouldn't have it. Winky had said, "if you must make a party, Winky will take care of everything."
Mrs. Weasley was surprised that Winky was so fiercely loyal, but no one told her that Winky was bound to Harry. So the day before Harry's birthday party, they dueled same as every other day. Even with Hermione's increasing level of proficiency, Harry still subjected himself to training with Tonks and Remus afterwards. When Hermione had asked why, Harry said, "I have a bad habit of finding myself in situations where I am outnumbered, exhausted, or both. So I need to be ready just incase."
Hermione was worried by Harry's fervor in training, but she knew that it would do little good to try and effect an immediate change.
Remus had been watching Harry's progress closely, and at times felt saddened that he would feel it necessary to achieve such a level. Harry was now able to push Tonks to either a standstill, or with Harry victorious. He had watched Harry training Hermione, as neither Tonks nor himself had attempted to duel her yet. Judging by her performance, she would be at Tonks level as soon as she learned the proper skills that were required for aurors.
Tonks and he had grown close, as one tends to do when they are grieving, but had not actually talked about it. No one question the two adults as to their sleeping arrangements yet, as neither was ever found outside of where they were supposed to be. It had become very comforting to have someone not repulsed by what he became a few nights a month.
Remus watched as Harry sent a glare at the end of a match that was met with a responding glare. It was unnerving that they knew each other so well that they didn't have to say things, it was also saddening. Saddening that the two of them had been through events that brought unity in military units.
As Harry prepared for the upcoming duel, Remus decided that they needed to talk. "Harry, are you aware that you hardly say more than two words to Hermione?"
Harry looked mildly surprised, "I talk to her all the time, even outside of duels."
Remus shook his head, "no you don't. Most of the time you talk to each other, it's with various movements and half spoken words."
Harry shrugged, "so? What does it matter?"
"I'm telling because if you don't get used to talking to each other, then people will start talking about your behavior and start drawing conclusions." Remus sighed, "Tell me Harry, is there a girl that you like at school or otherwise beyond just friendship?"
Harry looked at him for a long while. "Not that I would admit to."
Remus was shocked, "what do you mean 'admit to'?"
Harry closed his eyes and drew a few deep breaths, "everyone close to me gets hurt Remus, I know you and Tonks can defend yourselves, but if I fell for a girl and she became a target? I would be at the mercy of the death eaters."
Harry opened his eyes, which now blazed with anger, "I can't live until Voldemort is gone. I will not put another person at risk that I have not ensured that I can do no more to protect them." Remus could feel Harry anger manifest in ripples of pure power. It was truly an awe inspiring sight.
No sooner than it manifested, than it was reigned in and contained. Harry looked at Remus and asked, "shall we begin?"
The resulting duel was interesting because Harry had stopped saying what spell he was doing. Harry occasionally used magic without actually saying the spells, it was most noticeable in his duels with Hermione, and it was gradually becoming a more consistent occurrence.
Remus had heard that there was going to be a fairly well trained Defense teacher, but he hadn't been told who it was. Tonks knew, of that he was sure, but had as of yet told him. Remus soon found himself bound for his lapse of focus.
Harry watched as Remus let himself be pulled into his thought and took advantage of it. After helping him up, they decided to go to lunch, which would start in a few minutes. Winky had told him that there was a surprise party scheduled for him in a few days, so Harry decided to let everyone have their fun and pretend to be surprised.
He knew that Hermione and Remus were upset with the pace he was setting, but neither complained to him. Remus helped him in his goal of being like his father and Sirius in becoming an animagus. So far he had gotten the general idea of what his animal would be, and it would be large enough to restrain a werewolf.
He knew there was something about his animagus form that was different, from what he understood it was rare for a person to get anything other than a non magical creature. While Harry delved deeper into what it was, Hermione was talking with Winky about the party.
Winky and Hermione were of the same mind, neither thought that a surprise party was a good idea, though Winky had said that she told Harry there would be one, but not why. Winky had started to refer to Hermione as she did to Harry, letting the occasional mistress slip.
Winky had come to truly enjoy living under her new mistress, she was so kind and caring. Winky knew that Mistress had some odd ideas out her people's servitude, but she explained as best she could why most preferred to serve. It was very advantageous to being secure in a family, as it was considerably better for raising a family.
"I still don't understand why all house elf's have to be servants if they don't want to," Hermione said with a confused expression.
"Many would serve happily free, but many fear that they would be cast off for asking," Winky replied while keeping an eye on the various dishes that were being prepared. Winky was very proud of her skill, after all it wasn't common, even for one her people, to have more than two or three things being done at the same time. She was currently focusing on nine things, ten if she was to include the conversation with her mistress.
Hermione nodded seemingly lost in thought. "So trying to convince them to take freedom will not be easy," she said to her self. Hermione was not about to give up, but she understood why Harry had bound Winky. While for the time being she was content to leave things as they were, she would convince Winky that being free was much better.
Winky and Hermione talked about the plans for the party, which Winky was reluctant to plan as it was intended as a surprise. Winky was very in tune with what her master wanted, more so than with her previous master. It still stung that she had been dismissed so easily, but she was serving a much kinder and better master.
Winky finished preparations for supper, all that would be necessary was to make sure that it didn't burn. Winky wanted to keep her mistress company, so she summoned some of her sewing so as to keep her hands busy.
Winky wondered if her Mistress understood the significance of Winky referring to her as mistress, even if she rarely said it. Her master had invited Miss Tonks and Mr. Remus to join the family, which made them mistress and master respectively. Winky wondered if Miss Hermione realized that she was apart of her master's family, as much if not greater than Mr. Remus.
Hermione noticed that Winky seemed to have drifted off into thought, and even then she kept supper moving along fairly easy. Hermione knew very little about house elf magic, as it was not documented in the least, but she watched as the various dishes moved to where they were needed and Winky seemed not to pay any attention to them.
Deciding not to break her concentration, Hermione went in search of a new book to read. As she was wandering the shelves, Hermione saw Dobby sitting reading a book. Letting herself be known she asked, "what are you reading Dobby?"
Dobby turned to her with a sad smile, "Dobby just reading, Dobby not have much to do now that Harry Potter live with Mr. Remus."
She sat down and asked a question that had been bugging her, "Dobby, what can your people do with magic?"
Dobby, who was happy to have something to do, answered, "House elves can do most household charms. Dobby can clean house, but Dobby cannot make house. Dobby skilled for house elf, Dobby can do six things on his own."
Hermione seemed surprised and said without thinking, "but I just saw Winky doing nine things at once."
Dobby smiled and nodded, "Winky is very skilled, but she also bound to Harry Potter."
Confusion, which seemed to becoming a standard today, was clear on Hermione's face, "what does being bound to Harry have to do with anything?"
Dobby looked at her carefully, as if judging what to tell her. "House elves magic increase when bound to a wizard. Winky can do five things on her own, but with Harry Potter she can do twice as much." Seeing her confused face he continued, "House elves that are bound become tied to the wizard or witch that bound them. If they are born into the family, they are bound to the family. By being bound, Winky is tied to Harry Potter's magic."
Dobby took a deep breath, "Dobby's parents say that when a house elf is first bound being bound to a family, they is tied to life of wizard or witch who bound them."
Hermione looked shocked, "so if Harry dies, Winky will die? That hardly seems fair."
Dobby shrugged sadly, "That is how it is done Ms. Hermione. Dobby not want to live without Winky, but Harry Potter not want to bind Dobby."
Hermione didn't know what to say, this was a lot of information to take in. Fortunately she didn't have to say much as Winky appeared to say supper was ready. Hermione excused herself and went to clean up for supper while trying to comprehend what she had been told.
She wondered, did Winky know that she had been tied to Harry's life? Did she really hate freedom so much that she would serve Harry to death. She knew that Harry had no clue, or he wouldn't have bound Winky. Hermione soon joined Harry and Remus for a wonderful meal. Hermione threw glances at Winky wondering if because she was tied to Harry's very life, Winky was always able to tell exactly what Harry wanted.
Harry noticed that Hermione was looking at Winky in concern, but didn't want to push it in front of Remus. The meal was mostly discussion about what was being planned for the next year, regardless of whether or not they had a good teacher. Harry was unwavering in the thought of being able to train himself if need be.
Harry and Hermione went to the library to read some more spells, but apparently Hermione had other plans. As soon as they were away from Remus, she turned to him and asked, "are you aware that Winky is bound to your life?"
Harry looked at her confused, "what are you talking about Hermione?" This seemed to be the right thing to say, as Hermione went from looking about to hit him to a much calmer expression.
They sat at one of the tables as Hermione explained to Harry what Dobby had told her. Harry listened in silence as she explained the various things about binding a house elf. While Harry was impressed that she knew all this, he also knew that Winky needed to have the protection of being bound.
"Hermione, thank you for telling me," she looked like she had just won something, "but I'm not going to free Winky."
Hermione started to object, but stopped when another voice spoke, "Mistress not understand, Winky cannot be free."
Hermione looked at Winky, forgetting that Harry was even there, and asked, "why? What is stopping you from being free?"
Winky bowed her head, "Winky is not normal like other house elves. If Winky is freed, Winky will be shunned by all others. Even Dobby still has respect, but that is because Dobby left bad wizard family. If Winky dismissed from another good family, Winky will be disowned by other house elves. Even Dobby."
Hermione didn't understand why Dobby would shun her and said so. Harry decided to interject, "Hermione, you know how in the wizard world there is a stigma attached to being muggleborn?" When she nodded he continued, "well for house elves if they are dismissed from a family that is considered good, then they are slightly distanced from other house elves until they prove that it wasn't their fault. Winky has one strike against her. Which means that she can't be dismissed from my service."
"But what about her life being tied to yours," Hermione asked in a slightly higher pitch than normal. "Is it fair that she will die when you do?"
Harry looked at her calmly, "no it's not, but I don't know how to fix it without freeing her and I won't do that to her." Harry kept his eyes level with Hermione, even though he wanted to look away. "I'll ask Dumbledore if he knows anything, but I doubt it's even known about as most of time there are very few free house elves."
Hermione didn't stop bothering him until he had wrote the letter and sent it off with Dobby. Finally they started working on the studying they were there to do. Soon enough for Hermione, Dobby returned with a response.
Harry,
I am confused as to why you are asking this now, as I assumed that you already knew this. As I don't have all the information about how you preformed the ritual, I can not say if it can be done. As I have a small bit of free time tomorrow, I believe that it would be prudent to have this discussion in person.
Albus DumbledoreHarry showed Hermione the letter and she agreed that it would be enough to appease her. Soon after they decided to turn in and wait for Dumbledore to arrive.
The next day had Dumbledore arriving during lunch and staying for the conversation they had set up. Remus realized that this was a conversation that he had no place in, so he excused himself to do something else.
Once he left, Dumbledore decided to start things off. "Well Harry," he pretended not to notice that Harry was looking at him coldly, "could you tell me how you went about the ritual. Please remember that accuracy is very important, as in this ritual what you say and how you do things matter very much."
Harry closed his eyes to focus but kept drawing a blank, "I can't remember much more than that I was more than happy to welcome her."
Dobby appeared and said, "Dobby watched Harry Potter sir. Harry Potter placed his hand on Winky's head and said, 'then I welcome you Winky into my service'."
Dumbledore looked shocked, which was more than just unsettling. "Are you sure that Harry actually touched her head Dobby?" When Dobby nodded Dumbledore looked put out, "Then there is nothing anyone can do."
Hermione asked, "why is there nothing anyone can do Professor?"
Dumbledore looked at her sadly, "The ritual states that a person is to hold their hand slightly above a house elf's head and say they welcome them. Harry placed his hand on her head, which means that she serves Harry first, no matter what."
Harry didn't see a problem with this and said so. "What does that matter? Since I have no interest in the order than being advised of any tactical information you can provide on the death eaters it shouldn't matter."
Dumbledore shook his head, "you are to young my boy, you should enjoy your innocence while you can."
Everyone in the room felt a wash of power flow over them, "I don't have innocence Dumbledore, I only have naiveté. Tom has taken any sort innocence from me so I would kindly remind you that I may be young, but I am fairly well trained given the circumstances."
Hermione tried move to tell Harry to stop, but found she couldn't. She asked, "what do you mean 'circumstances' Harry?"
Dumbledore struggled to speak, but felt as if his throat was closed. What he saw when he looked at Harry, shocked him. Harry's face belayed the pure sense of power radiating off of him. Dumbledore noticed that Ms. Granger had no trouble speaking, which meant that it was at least some what under control and made it even more terrifying.
Harry looked at her, a flash of kindness showing, "I've had Voldemort after me since that prophecy was made. All he knows is that it says that a child will be born of parents who had three times prior defied him would have the power to defeat him, and that child would be born as the seventh month dies." Harry glanced at Dumbledore before continuing, "Dumbledore knew this and had the only order members to thrice defy him to go into hiding. That was my parents and Neville's. You know the rest."
Hermione looked appeased and didn't seem to think there was anything else to ask. Harry leveled Dumbledore with a look that clearly said not to contradict him. "Thank you for coming Headmaster," Harry said coolly, "I'm sure that you have much more important things to do."
Dumbledore stood and as calmly as possible nodded and quickly left to contemplate this new development. Hermione was shocked at the clear dismissal of their Headmaster, but could tell that Harry was not in the mood to talk about his attitude.
Hermione had felt the wash of power, yet for a second it felt like it recognized her before passing her by. It was interesting, but she decided to file it away for the time being. She watched as Harry drew himself inward and calmed quickly. She had been witness to various feats of Harry's magic recently, but this by far superceded it.
As soon as Harry was done, they separated, Hermione to the library and Harry to work on something Remus had given him. She knew that whatever it was, it wasn't dangerous so she would wait, however impatiently, for him to tell her what it was.
The next few days passed in relative peace, Harry and Dobby were secluded from time to time but nothing else of any notice happened. Tonks started to stay around more, and when she wasn't hanging around Remus, she was schooling Harry in the talents of being an auror.
Harry's birthday was also brought the O.W.L. scores. Hermione and Harry were sitting in the kitchen when the owl came and dropped them off. Harry laughed at Hermione's expression, "don't worry, except for astronomy, I'm fairly sure that you were at the top of the score chart."
Hermione glared at him before looking back at the envelope. "Open it for me," she said much to the amusement of Tonks and Remus. As he started to break the seal, she snatched it back and tore into it. Harry continued to eat as she read over her scores.
Hermione beamed, "nineteen owls!" She started jumping around and immediately asked to borrow Hedwig so she could write her parents. Harry agreed, chuckling at her attitude. He noticed Remus looking at him, obviously waiting for Harry to open his results.
Harry waited, quietly eating his birthday breakfast, until Hermione came back downstairs. Hermione looked at him, suddenly embarrassed that she hadn't waited to hear his results. Harry very calmly, which was to belay his nervousness, opened the letter and gave it a quick look over.
"I totally bombed everything," he said before placing the letter back in its envelope. Remus and Tonks caught on that he was playing a trick and said nothing.
Hermione tore the letter away, "that can't possibly be right," she said disbelief evident in her voice. She read his scores.
"You got fourteen owls," she said looking at him confused. Her confusion ended when everyone, save Winky, started laughing. She smiled slightly and glared at Harry.
Harry shrugged, "it just means that I qualify for auror training. Bet Snape will be mad that I got into his advanced potion class. Though I'm surprised that I got a owl."
Hermione just shrugged and they talked about what they were going to do that particular day. It was obvious that they wanted something outside away from the house. Harry knew that they had planned a party, but didn't have the heart to tell them not to bother.
Harry and Remus would go into Diagon Alley for some more robes, which was supposed to take them all day. Harry caught Remus's eye when he was about to complain. Harry didn't actually want to have to shop for clothes for the entire day, therefore he didn't want Tonks or Hermione to go with them.
Dobby would go with them to help with the purchases and they were to leave as soon as they could get into some clothes that would blend in. Harry met Remus a short while later. Before they left Harry said, "I finally figured out how to bring out my animagus form. I want to show you sometime."
Remus nodded and they went off to buy some new robes. They talked about nothing of importance, simply enjoyed the time away from everyone else. If one were to have passed them as they enjoyed the walk, an outsider would have thought they were father and son even though they didn't look alike. There was a sense of belonging that radiated from them that clearly said that no matter what their looks, these two were family.
A/n:3963 Words. Boy, and I thought that this was going to be a hard chapter to get to 2000 words. Many thanks to all you who read, and an extra thanks to all who review. I need someone to tell me when I mess up. Here are Harry's Owl scores.
Potions
Theory-O
Practical-O
Overall-O
Transfiguration
Theory- O
Practical- O
Overall- O
Charms
Theory- O
Practical- O
Overall- O
Care for Magical Creatures
Theory- O
Practical- N/A
Overall- O
History of Magic
Theory- N/A
Practical- A
Overall-A
Herbology
Theory- EE
Practical- O
Overall- EE+
Astronomy
Theory- EE
Practical- A
Overall- A
D.A.D.A.
Theory- O
Practical- O+
Overall- O+
14 owls