Disclaimer: No money is being made by this. It is JK Rowlings world that our imagination just played in.

Chapter 4 Battle for #12 and Winky

Harry took another shot at the Spellseye without his wand. He missed again. He was frustrated with himself. He had to do this! He focused on it again and let another shot go. Bullseye! He hit it. This was so much harder without a wand, but he had to get there. He also had the drawback of wearing the Ingravo Belt clicked to the third notch. Harry had been right that with the distractions of the increase of gravity, the concentration required was much more. Though it was harder to hit the target while practicing this way, after he took the belt off, his accuracy and power levels increased dramatically. His normal level was now Level 11 with 8.2 power. It felt slightly strange that he was working at the same level that his father and Sirius had worked at when they finished school. Harry thought that subconsciously he might even be lingering there a bit longer than he could just for that connection with them.

Harry wiped some sweat from his brow. He clenched his fist and thrust it at the Spellseye again. Another hit. Time for a short break. Harry flopped into an armchair and thought back over the past two weeks.

Winky had come Sunday morning. She looked even worse than Harry remembered. He could tell that she was massively depressed. Her dress was nothing more than a filthy rag. She smelled. She seemed to be more of a zombie than a house elf.

She made an attempt at breakfast but the eggs were runny and the toast burnt. Harry preferred his and Dobby's cooking, but he wouldn't take Winky's 'job' away from her. Remus looked at Harry with sympathy and Harry had grimaced back, but both knew that nothing more would be said. Remus left shortly after.

As soon as Remus left, Harry headed for the trunk. Ron and Ginny were already there. Harry and Ginny started their warm ups and Ron came to join the conversation. Harry had told them about Dobby and Remus coming for him at Privet Drive, the talk with Dobby about the house elf heads, Remus mentioning how the house wouldn't let go of many of the dark decorations, about Winky coming and her condition and finally about the spell Dobby said needed to be done during the full moon to remove the elf heads from the house.

Ron and Ginny were entranced. At the end, Ron said, "But what can you do, Harry? Remus can't do a spell during the full moon and you can't do magic outside of this trunk."

"I've got an idea. I just need some help from Gideon to get myself ready. He's been helping me with quieting my spells or being able to say them without words, but he also said he was interested in wandless magic."

Ron and Ginny wanted a demonstration of the silent incant and Harry lit his wand silently. Ron and Ginny were suitably impressed.

But Gideon's time would wait. This was Fabian's time and he was getting impatient with the chitchat. Harry turned on some music and off Harry and Ginny went to their exercises while Ron shot spells at the Spellseye.

When the exercises were done, Harry cleaned up, then walked over to Gideon's portrait. "Gideon, are you there? I need to talk to you."

Gideon walked into the picture, stretching and yawning. "I've never been the morning person Fabian was. What do you need, young Harry?"

"I need to learn how to do wandless magic by the end of the month."

Gideon's eyebrows raised up. "That may be a bit ambitious, don't you think?"

"It needs to be done. I made a promise to Dobby that a spell would be done under the next full moon and I'm the only one who can do it. But it will need to be done out there," Harry waved his hand towards the doors. "and the only way for me to do it and not be expelled will be to do it wandlessly."

"Do you know if it's a spell that needs just a little power or a lot of power?"

"Dobby said it needs a lot of power." Harry looked a little guiltily at Gideon.

"I can make no promises, Harry. But we can try. It will be on your shoulders to practice as much as you can."

"I will. This is very important to me and to Dobby. I have to do this." Harry was glad that Gideon would help him. He hoped things went ok.

Gideon straightened up and said, "Then let's start now. What wandless magic have you done already after starting Hogwarts?"

Harry thought back to his conversation with Remus. "Back before third year, my Aunt Marge was insulting my parents and I blew her up." Ron and Ginny started snickering.

Gideon looked alarmed. "What do you mean, 'blew up'?"

"Like a balloon. She was bouncing around the ceiling when I left. She had been insulting me all week, but when she started in on my mum and dad…I lost control."

Gideon smiled, too. "Did you mean to blow her up or did you just want her to stop talking?"

"I think I just wanted to stop her talking."

Gideon looked a bit disappointed. "What else?"

"After that incident I ran to a locked cupboard and it opened for me so I could get my trunk and my wand."

Gideon straightened up with that again. "That had to have been deliberate. What else?"

"Last summer when the Dementors attacked, I had dropped my wand and I knew I needed it if I was to fight them off so I said the 'Lumos' spell. It lit up a short ways away from me."

Gideon was looking excited at that. "Great! Another deliberate use. Anything else?"

"When I was frustrated with a root I was digging out I wanted something to chop the root. I heard a crash and an ax broke a window in my aunt's greenhouse. Then I was somehow able to repair it. I was thinking my uncle would kill me and that I really wished it would get repaired before he found out."

"A summoning charm and a reparo charm. Once again not deliberate and deliberate. Go on."

"The last one was the one I talked of earlier, when Snape went too far in his comments about my father and his friends. I stunned him and blew him across the yard. I just wanted to stop him talking and wanted him away from me."

"That one sounds like it wasn't deliberate. But you did have three instances where it was deliberate. That's better than I hoped for. It also sounds that you have used some spells that needed power behind them. Those were the not deliberate times. Your emotions seemed to have a big influence on it."

Ron was looking at Harry. "You blew up your Aunt Marge without your wand?"

"Yeah. Remus reckons that the Ministry was alerted when I accidentally used my wand to summon the Knight Bus."

"Do you mind if we try some of this stuff with you?" Ginny was nodding her head agreeing that she wanted to try as well as Ron.

"Of course I don't mind. It would only help me to have more people trying with me." Together they turned to Gideon.

"To start this, why don't we all try the Lumos spell as Harry did. Set your wand in front of you on the floor. Now a bit of theory on how it's supposed to work. When a wandless spell is used, the magic leaves your body in an unfocused way and travels out in all directions. That is probably why Harry was able to have his wand light when he didn't know where it was. Now give it a try."

All three children set their wands in front of them and said, "Lumos." Nothing happened at all. All three looked back at Gideon.

"Remember, wandless needs much more concentration. In a fighting situation thoughts can focus on what is needed to survive. That's a good concentrator. In an emotional situation, all distractions are overshadowed by whatever is the catalyst for the emotional response. You need to learn to create that focus for yourself in a non-emergency, non-emotional time. Try again."

Ron and Ginny immediately called out "Lumos" again, but Harry paused. He thought about what Gideon had said. He tried to remember the situations where he had used wandless magic and what Gideon said made sense. He tried to pull up the same intensity he remembered feeling in each of those situations then called, "Lumos". Harry's wand tip lit.

Harry, Ginny and Ron all gave whoops. "You did it, Harry!"

"Good going, mate!"

They finally calmed down and Ginny asked him what he did differently.

Just as when he was teaching the DA, Harry had to analyze what it was that he did to try to explain to the others what had to happen. "I thought back to the times I had done it before and realized that each time there was an…intensity…deep in my chest. I'm not totally sure how to explain it. Maybe a determination, but it's a powerful feeling. Try to concentrate on the feeling building in your chest and then let it go."

Ginny and Ron took longer to concentrate this time. Suddenly Ginny said, "Lumos" and her wand lit. She started jumping up and down, squealing and threw herself in Harry's arms. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Harry was laughing and even Ron looked over and laughed at how his sister was acting. Ron then turned back to his wand and tried the spell. "Lumos". The wand tip gave a flicker, but then went out. Harry and Ginny went to either side of Ron to give their encouragement.

"Try it again, Ron. Make sure you feel the ball of power in your chest before you release it with the spell. Why don't you take a deep breath first. That may help."

Ron took a deep breath and let it back out. He focused his gaze on his wand and after a moments said, "Lumos". His wand tip glowed.

Ginny gave him a hug, Harry slapped his back and Ron, with one arm around Ginny said to Harry, "Hope you don't mind if I don't give you a hug, mate. I reckon I'll leave that to Ginny."

"Perfectly fine with me." The three laughed and celebrated a moment longer and then turned back to Gideon. The rest of the morning Gideon had them practicing the Lumos spell and other spells that worked more by something catching the spell than by needing focus on the object itself.

The three spent a happy morning this way and at noon they all reluctantly headed out of the trunk. Harry was hoping that Winky was in better shape for lunch. He was doomed to disappointment. Lunch was similar to breakfast. Harry decided he would eat only a little and have a mid-afternoon snack in the trunk.

In the afternoon, Harry returned to the trunk and practiced some more. He also threw in some practice with the wordless magic and had decided to start using magic with the Ingravo Belt on to see if that helped at all.

Sunday evening disaster struck. Winky got into the Butterbeer. Harry had never seen such a sad sight. She moaned and rocked back and forth. Harry sat with her while he sent Dobby to find some antidote for her. Harry ordered all Butterbeer to be removed from the house. Dobby tried to argue because he knew Harry liked Butterbeer, but Harry stayed firm. It would be better if there was none around to tempt Winky. Harry could live with water or other juices.

Over the next two weeks Winky spiraled downwards. There was not butterbeer to drink, but she would try other substances. She found some Firewhiskey of Remus'. Dobby was horrified. Luckily she passed out after just a few sips because, as Dobby explained, Firewhiskey could be lethal to a house elf. After that incident Harry and Dobby tried to rid the house of anything even remotely alcoholic. Harry and Dobby basically had to keep a suicide watch over Winky. Dobby said that Winky just couldn't handle being a free elf. Harry asked Dobby some questions about what all was entailed of being an enslaved elf and what the process was to do it. Dobby answered him candidly. The owner and the elf both needed to be wholly willing. He told him of the words that needed speaking. Harry got a pensieve look on his face and decided he wanted to think about the idea that was forming.

His magical training was going well. He wasn't sure if his power level would be enough to perform Dobby's spell yet, but he was trying as hard as he could to get it to where it would need to be.

Luna had joined them in the trunk a few more times and had given the wandless book to Harry to read. There were several more suggestions in the book that helped improve the quality of their magic spellcasting. The three proceeded on to wandless shields and Harry had recently begun offensive wandless spells. Ron and Ginny were anticipating Hermione joining them at the Burrow the last full week of July.

Harry got back up. That brought him to today. Tomorrow was the start of the last full week of July and Hermione would be coming to the Burrow. He would be happy to see his friend. He had thought a lot more about the idea of taking Winky as his house elf, but somehow making the enslavement open-ended, giving the house elf or her descendents the opportunity for freedom if they chose. He thought if Hermione could support him in that, she might even be willing to help him alter the enchantment that would bind Winky and Harry together. Somehow he would have to approach her with this without her getting all upset about SPEW.

Harry had already talked to Remus about it this morning on their regular Saturday talk. Remus had said he would support whatever Harry decided as long as he talked to the Headmaster first. Harry decided to write a letter to the Headmaster.

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

I am writing to you because of my concern for Winky, the house elf. Her depression has reached an all-time low and Dobby and I have been having to keep a constant watch to make sure she doesn't fatally hurt herself. She seems to have no will to live. Dobby believes that it all stems from being a free house elf. I was wondering what you would think about me offering to take Winky as my house elf. I know she currently works at Hogwarts, but she does not seem to be happy there. I have not approached her with this and there are a lot of unknowns in how this could work, but could you please stop by to see me some time to discuss this?

Harry Potter

Harry folded the parchment and climbed the ladder. He went down to the Drawing Room and looked at the box. He wondered if he would be able to open it, not to take anything out, but to put this letter in. Or if he would get shocked? He drew up his courage and decided to give it a try.

Harry approached the box and put his hand on the lid. He felt a slight buzz. He lifted the lid, slid the letter inside and let the lid close again. He stepped back, breathing deeply. He didn't want to admit how nervous he had been about that. He knew that several Order members came and went in the evening hours and even Dumbledore had been there for a few meetings with members, but as they weren't there to see Harry, he didn't bother to get in their way. If he happened to be around or in the kitchen, he'd offer then coffee or tea, but other than that he let them go about their own business. He figured that with Mrs. Weasley not cooking, they didn't have as much incentive to stay around.

Harry returned to the trunk and his Spellseye. He closed his eyes to help focus on the feeling building inside his chest, clenched his fist and punched it towards the Spellseye with a cry of "Subsisto". The temporary stopping spell hit the target. Harry had found that he could direct the magic easier for now if he 'punched' or 'threw' the magic to his target.

He was up to Level 5 wandlessly with an average power 6.3. He knew the moving target lowered the level of the focused power. He just hoped with a stationary target like the elf heads that his power level would be high enough to cast Dobby's spell.

Harry had been practicing most of the afternoon when Dobby popped in.

"Harry Potter, sir! Headmaster Dumbledore is wishing to see you!"

Harry blinked in surprise. He wondered if the Headmaster came in response to his letter or if he had been planning to stop by anyway. "I'll be right there, Dobby."

"Very good, Harry Potter." Dobby disappeared with a loud crack.

Harry left the trunk and made his way to the Drawing Room.

"Headmaster Dumbledore, what can I do for you?"

Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling as he smiled at Harry. "The question is 'What can I do for you?' I believe you wanted to see me about a house elf currently residing in your home?"

"Yes! You should see Winky. I'm worried about her." Harry's brow was furrowed in concern as he thought of the small house elf.

Dumbledore smiled at him. "I see your heart is in the right place in regards to Winky. If she should consent, I would have no trouble with you bonding with her. What are your concerns about it?"

"I don't want her and all her children enslaved to my line. I don't believe I would ever abuse her, but if someday I have kids, I can't guarantee what they will do. Do you know if the spell can be altered to allow an escape clause for her and her family?"

Dumbledore's smile widened. "I don't believe it has ever been done before, but that's not to say that it couldn't."

Harry nodded to himself. "That's what I was thinking. Tomorrow Hermione comes to the Burrow. I was thinking to ask her to help me figure out how to do it."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled a little brighter. "Yes. That would be something to ask her the next time you see her. I believe I've seen a few books in the library here that may be able to help with the reconstruction of the spell." Harry missed it at the time that Dumbledore mentioned that Harry would be seeing Hermione, not just writing to her. "What other concerns do you have?"

"I'm still in school and Remus isn't here a whole lot. Dobby likes being free and working at Hogwarts. I'm afraid of what would happen to Winky if she is left alone here."

Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "If she truly accepts the bond, she should be all right. If what I suspect is true, it is possible that what she currently needs is something to hang on to. If she is bonded to you, she would hang on to you, even if you are not there. Would you mind if I saw her?"

"No, sir. I'll go get her. She seems to have lost her way to transport like Dobby can." Harry left the room and returned a short while later leading an apathetic Winky. Dumbledore's eyes drew together in concern and Harry left the two to talk. A short while later Professor Dumbledore led Winky to the kitchen where Harry and Dobby were sharing a small tea while waiting. Harry stood up and followed the beckoning Dumbledore.

"I believe your fears are well founded. I believe Winky is willing herself to die. If something isn't done relatively soon, nothing may be able to be done." His face looked gravely at Harry over his half-moon spectacles.

"How long do we have do you think?" Harry hadn't wanted to hear that it was truly as bad as he suspected.

"At most, the end of summer. I doubt that she will ever make it to return to Hogwarts." Dumbledore's eyes looked sadly at Harry.

"Would it be better for you to take her back with you now?"

"No. Dobby has shown much more care and concern than the other house elves. I believe her time would be even shorter away from here."

Harry nodded. This would be another thing he would have to do to help his two elf friends. He would somehow convince Hermione that he had to take Winky into his service. He gave another determined nod.

"Thank you for stopping by, Headmaster." Harry tilted his head. "How did you know that I wanted to talk to you so soon? You don't usually show up on a Saturday afternoon."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Your letter, of course. This handy little box here actually has a companion box in my office. I can tell when a report…or a letter…has been placed inside of it."

"I thought when you stopped by here you removed the letters."

"Actually the charm on the box needs to be refreshed every week and that is what I am doing." With their meeting concluded, Dumbledore left and Harry went to plan on how to approach both Winky and Hermione with his idea.

Early the next morning Harry was down in the trunk when the Weasley lid opened and Hermione came quickly down the ladder followed by Ron and Ginny. As she reached the bottom she quickly crossed to Harry and gave him a hug. "Oh, Harry. It is so good to see you. I've not heard one word from you this summer and only bits from Ron and Ginny about you. How are you? You look well. What's been going on? What have you been up to?" The last was said with a bit of a glare.

Harry started laughing. "Don't you trust me? I've been fine, but I do have something I need to talk to you about, but that can wait for now." He turned to Ron and Ginny. "What all have you explained yet?"

Ginny answered. "We've explained most of it. Kind of did an overview of the routine we've started down here. She's rather suspicious of us though."

"I just know you is all. There is always more than what appears to be with you guys. What's up?" Hermione settled herself into one of the chairs. Harry started the fire illusion while Ron and Ginny floated over the two stools.

After the four friends got settled, Harry started, "Actually there are some things I want to share with you. Did Ron and Ginny tell you about the house elf heads?" At Hermione's nod Harry continued, "Well, there is another reason for learning Wandless and Wordless magic as well; just not as urgent as the house elf heads. Let me get something a minute."

Harry got up and retrieved his father's journal. "I haven't had as much time to read this since I've been moved to Grimmauld Place but I'd like you to read this section I've got marked." Harry handed the book to Hermione. Ron and Ginny moved behind her to read over her shoulder.

As Hermione read her eyes got bigger and bigger. "So that's what took the time to become an animagus? Learning the Wandless and Wordless magic? Oh, Harry, this could really be something useful." Harry smiled at the excitement lit in Hermione's eyes.

"Harry, mate, why didn't you show us this before?" Ron's eyes also had excitement in them.

"For one thing, I've recently been distracted by trying to learn enough to be ready by the full moon for Dobby's spell. I also didn't want to say anything in case you guys totally couldn't do it. I've no doubt that Hermione will catch up quickly. She always has been able to focus her concentration, unlike us." Harry gave a laugh. Hermione blushed. "It will still be quite a while before we will be anywhere near good enough to try anything like this transformation, but we can start thinking about it. I've even started a list of what traits I'd like my animal to have. You guys can start lists, too, if you're interested."

Ginny spoke up. "What kind of traits have you thought of so far, Harry?"

"Well, I thought I'd like my animal to be strong, in case I'd have to be able to protect someone; fast, to help get away from a bad situation; and I'd absolutely love to be able to fly." Harry's eyes drifted off, gazing at some far distance. The others all smiled. Secretly they all thought that would almost be a given for Harry. His flying was almost an instinctual thing. Harry belonged in the air.

Ron was glancing at the journal page again. "It's funny to think that the traits they wanted came true for two of the three. Prongs was a very majestic character, not a lion, but it sounds like he was having doubts about that anyway, and Sirius certainly had shock value and both of them were large creatures. Wormtail wanted his creature's traits for not so honorable reasons. I'm glad his personality overruled his choice." That was spoken with disgust. There were general murmurs of agreement.

Harry spoke up again. "I was just thinking, if you wanted another reason to keep learning this stuff, possibly becoming an animagus could be some incentive."

Ron grinned. "You reckon, mate? I say let's go for it!"

After their discussion, Hermione was introduced to the Prewett brothers. Fabian kept making hints that Harry and Ginny needed to be getting on with their morning routine. Hermione looked over the books and started reading the wandless magic one. She was feeling some pressure to catch up and wanted to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible. Every so often she would glance up as Ron would try to get her attention drawn to how he was doing on the Spellseye.

After they finished practicing their wandless spells with Gideon, Hermione came over to Harry. "So what else was it you wanted to talk to me about."

Harry started getting nervous. "I need you to come with me and see something." Harry moved to his ladder and started to climb. All three of his friends followed him. As his friends were climbing out of the trunk, Harry called Dobby. "Dobby? Are there any other people in the house right now?"

"No, Harry Potter. The house is empty of any others."

"Good." He turned to the others and said, "Follow me." Harry led them down to the kitchen. Winky was there.

Hermione ran over to Winky. "Winky! Are you ok?" Winky didn't even respond. Hermione looked up at Harry, very distressed.

Harry looked soberly back at her. Dobby came back in the kitchen and covered Winky with a blanket. Harry placed a hand on Dobby's shoulder in thanks and he and his friends silently returned to Harry's room.

Once they were back in the trunk, Hermione turned on Harry.

"Harry, what is wrong with her? She looks so bad!"

"I asked Professor Dumbledore to come over yesterday. He believes she is willing herself to die."

Tears sprang up in Hermione's eyes and Ginny's breath caught on a sob. "What can be done? Why?"

"The Professor believes as does Dobby, that Winky doesn't want to live because she is free."

"But…"

Harry interrupted Hermione. "I know how you feel about elf freedom, but you need to see how Winky feels. I agree in part with giving freedom to the elves who want it, but some, like Winky, apparently can't survive with it. She is dying."

Hermione stopped, breathing heavily. Then she closed her eyes and broke down crying. Ginny also was crying. Ron stepped close to Hermione and put an arm around her for comfort. Harry felt that left him to comfort Ginny. He felt a bit awkward doing this with Ron right there next to him but he was busy with Hermione. Harry put an arm around Ginny and she buried her face in his shoulder. Harry felt a protective surge run through him.

"I have an idea to save Winky, but I'll need your help, Hermione." Hermione's head lifted from Ron and she looked at Harry with hope. Ron also looked at Harry and got a strange look on his face seeing him holding Ginny. The look changed into a grin.

"I'd do anything, Harry. What do you need help with?" A light seemed to click on in her head and her face clouded over a bit. "Are you thinking of having her be your house elf?"

"In a way. I do agree that the elves should have a choice and even though Winky would choose to serve, I don't like the idea of automatically enslaving all her children. Dobby told me the spell used to perform the ritual and I was wondering if it couldn't be changed to give the elf and her offspring the choice of freedom at any time in the future, regardless of what the 'master' or my offspring might say about it. I mean…I hope my kids, if I ever have any wouldn't be jerks, but there's no guarantee, is there?" Harry looked hopefully at Hermione.

Harry could tell Hermione was thinking it over carefully. The other three friends stayed quiet while Hermione processed the idea. She lifted her head and asked Harry, "What did Dumbledore say when you asked him about it?"

"He said it had never been done before, but he thought that it could. He also said there were some books he thought might help in changing the spell in my library upstairs." Harry waited for Hermione's response.

Harry saw the light of a challenge light in Hermione's eyes and enthusiasm grow. "This might be the answer to S.P.E.W.! Instead of convincing the elves to take freedom all at once, convince the masters to give them the option! Once we get the spell changed for the original spellcasting, maybe we can find an adaptation for elves already in service!" Hermione was already heading back to Harry's ladder to go look in his library.

Harry let out a sigh of relief. He called over to Hermione, "Remember to keep out of sight if anyone should come by. You're not supposed to be there."

Ginny gave Harry a squeeze. "You know, that's an excellent idea. That gives the elves true choice; the choice of enslavement if that is what they wish or freedom." Harry looked down and grinned at her.

Ron cleared his throat. "If you're finished giving comfort now to my distraught sister, you could let go at any time." He grinned at the two of them. Harry flushed red. He hadn't really realized he still had his arm around Ginny.

Harry had to eventually drag Hermione away from the library so she could return to the Weasley's for lunch. It wasn't easy, but Harry was finally able to get her to leave by giving her a stack full of books to take with her and a promise of being able to return to search out more. She was extremely excited and full of enthusiasm for her new project.

Harry returned to have lunch with Dobby and Winky. Dobby and Harry tried to coax Winky to eat some food they had made. Harry didn't want to mention his plans yet to Winky until they figured a way to work the bit about the elves always having the choice of enslavement or freedom into the spell, but he was getting very worried. Winky seemed to have lost the use of her magic. Dobby said it was a sign of her depression.

In the afternoon, Harry practiced some more in his trunk then grabbed the book on wandless magic and brought it up to read near Winky so Dobby could have a break. The next few days passed in a similar pattern. Wednesday Harry told Remus what Professor Dumbledore had said and how he was planning to modify the spell. He left out Hermione's part in it because he wasn't sure how to explain how he was in contact with her.

On Thursday, Harry had another surprise. Coming down the ladder along with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny was Neville Longbottom. He was looking around with wide eyes and an impressed look on his face. The others quickly introduced him to the portraits and explained what they had been doing down here.

Neville explained that his Great Uncle Algie ran across a Nundu in Egypt. The bubble-headed charm kept most of the giant leopards' poisonous breath away from him, but he did breathe in enough to make him quite ill. He would recover, but Neville's Great Aunt Enid asked for Neville's Gran to come help take care of him for a week or so. Molly Weasley had run into her at Diagon Alley and heard the story and offered the Burrow as an alternative for Neville if he didn't want to travel to Egypt with his Gran.

"I don't mind Egypt or seeing my Great Aunt and Uncle, but things have been a bit tense between my Gran and me this summer."

Harry felt a little sick. "Is it because of your father's wand?"

Neville shrugged. "She's been a little strange this summer. One moment she doesn't want me to go anywhere, afraid I'll get hurt and the next she's praising me for taking on Death Eaters and then she's back to being upset about my father's broken wand and telling me to be more careful with things. I just can't figure her out anymore."

"Did you get a new wand, yet?" Harry wondered if Neville's new wand would be a better fit than his father's wand.

"No, not yet. But I've still got the pieces of my father's wand."

Harry shuddered. He couldn't imagine not having a wand for over a month. He was beginning to learn wandless magic, but it just wasn't the same. Spells were definitely easier with a wand and more powerful. Without his wand, Harry had always felt very insecure.

Harry felt a little strange. Every person who had gone with him to the Ministry of Magic was in the neighborhood. Memories came back clearly of why they had been lured there. Harry had become quite adept at not thinking about the prophecy, but now it all came crashing down on him. Kill or be killed. Each one of his friends had a right to know why they had been put in danger at the Ministry. But how much to tell?

Harry kept debating back and forth in his mind all morning, missing the looks his friends kept shooting at him. Finally Ginny came over to him and asked, "Harry, what's bothering you? You've been very quiet since Neville got here."

Harry looked and saw Neville had a hurt look on his face. Harry smiled at him to try to set him at ease. He looked back to Ginny and said, "I've just got something on my mind. Would you be able to ask Luna to come over tomorrow morning?"

Ginny looked surprised, but agreed to ask her. Harry then made an attempt to rejoin the conversation and take an active part in things.

By lunch time, things had seemed back to normal. Neville was actually quite adept at Wandless magic after only one day. He could do the Lumos spell and even some shields. Harry wondered how much of a hindrance his father's wand actually had been for Neville.

Neville had other questions, too. He wondered where Harry was staying. He wondered why the second ladder was there since all he saw was a solid ceiling above it instead of a door. Harry explained he was staying at a secret location and that was why Neville couldn't see the entrance to it.

In the afternoon, when Harry was by himself, he decided to push his power levels wandlessly. He set the Ingravo Belt to the eighth notch and practiced with the Spellseye. Harry kept his focus solely on what he needed to be doing. He only had one week left before he would try the spell. At this level, it was very difficult to even lift his arms to try to throw the spells out, but Harry did over and over again; while sweat poured down his body.

By dinner time, Harry was exhausted. He showered and left the trunk to relieve Dobby. Sitting with Winky gave Harry plenty of time to think.

Harry figured it would be safe to tell them the first part of the prophecy. And really, that basically was the gist of the whole thing. Voldemort just didn't know that and it was probably better that he didn't know that.

The next morning Harry met the others down in the trunk. He enlarged a couple of shrunken pouffes he had found in one of the cupboards that was filled with all sorts of shrunken furniture.

When they were all comfortable, Harry started, "First off, I want to thank you all for coming with me last month to the Ministry and I'm sorry you all got hurt." Harry's friends made a move of protest, but he stopped them. He looked straight at Ginny. "I know that it was a trick and that Voldemort is to blame, but that doesn't make me stop regretting that by following me, you all got hurt." Harry paused and looked at the floor, then he continued. "After that night, Headmaster Dumbledore sent me to his office." Harry gave a bit of an ironic snort. "More like trapped me in his office. I wasn't pleased to say the least…Well, after he watched me wreck a few of his things…" Hermione gasped. "…he calmed me down enough to listen to what he had to say. He told me the prophecy."

Hermione sat up straight. "Of course! The sphere said 'SPT to APWBD – Dark Lord and ? Harry Potter'. APWBD must be Dumbledore! He heard the prophecy! Who could SPT have been?"

"Trelawney."

Hermione snorted. "You must be kidding me. She's a fraud!"

"Hermione, do you remember back at the end of third year I told you she had gone into a sort of strange trance and predicted Wormtail escaping and bringing back the Dark Lord? At the time Dumbledore said it was her second true prediction."

"But…" Hermione did not want to believe all the trouble had been caused because of a prediction by the teacher she held the least respect for.

"It doesn't matter if we believe it to be true or not. It doesn't even really matter that Dumbledore believes it to be true. Voldemort believes it to be true."

Ginny cut in. "He knows the prophecy? Then why go to all the trouble to get the sphere?"

"He knows part of the prophecy. A Death Eater had been caught part way through it listening at the door. He knows the first part. He knows:

'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches; born to those who have thrice defied him; born as the seventh month dies…'". 1

The others all turned chalk white. Neville started trembling. Hermione was the first with the denials. "Well, that's very imprecise. There could be several children born in late July whose parents escaped Voldemort three times."

Neville spoke up with a skaky voice. "Yeah…Me." The others besides Harry snapped their heads around to look at Neville. "My Gran has always told me how my parents escaped him three times."

Harry put a hand on Neville's shoulder. "You're right, Neville. That's why there was a question mark on the sphere before they wrote my name. They didn't know if the prophesy was about you or me."

Ron was shaking his head. "This doesn't make sense. If I was You-Know-Who and I heard a prophesy like that and had a choice of two babies, why'd he go after you? I mean, no offense, Harry, but he should have gone after Neville." Neville's face turned even whiter.

Hermione was confused. "What? Why should he have gone after Neville instead of Harry?"

Luna was the one who answered, much to Harry's surprise. "Ronald is right, Hermione. Death Eaters believe that Pure Bloods have power. Neville's a Pure Blood. Harry's a Half Blood. So why did he go after the Half Blood? Does this have something to do with what you said in the Room of Prophecies; that He Who Must Not Be Named is a Half Blood?"

"Harry's not a Half Blood. Both of his parents were magical." Hermione needed to understand.

Luna tilted her head to one side. "You need to think like a Death Eater, Hermione. What is their view on muggle-borns?"

"They hate them. They think we have dirty blood. They think we are…on the same level as muggles?" Hermione was looking close tears. "At most, any child of mine would be a Half Blood?"

Ron went to her and put his arm around her. "Those are Death Eater terms, Hermione. Anyone other than them won't care a knut about what type of blood your child would have. At least not any who are worth knowing."

"Thanks, Ron." Hermione sniffed once more then settled back in her chair.

Harry turned to Luna. "You are right, Luna. As much as Voldemort preaches superiority of the Pure Bloods, he obviously doesn't believe it himself. He chose me because I wasn't the Pure Blood."

Ginny spoke up. "Crikey, Harry. He's never going to stop going after you. He won't stop until you're dead! It's more than just a point of pride that you lived when he tried to kill you. This says you can vanquish him! He has to kill you or he believes you could kill him!"

"Could you kill him?" Neville broke in the conversation again.

"I don't know. I don't much like the thought of being a murderer."

Now Hermione got mad. "Harry James Potter! That is not the same thing! Killing in a time of war to protect innocent people is not the same as being a murderer. You didn't have a problem when Quirrell died in first year when he was trying to kill you…"

"Or in destroying Tom Riddle when he was killing me!" Ginny burst in.

"You're right, but I don't even know how he could be killed anymore. Why didn't he die when Avada Kedavra rebound on him the first time he tried to kill me? If that can't kill him, what can?"

They all sat thinking about that for a short while. Eventually Ron asked, "What about the rest of the Prophecy?"

"Dumbledore told me, but Voldemort still doesn't know it. I won't risk any of you getting tortured for it. He can tell when you tell the truth or not. He would know you weren't lying when you said you didn't know it. All I will say is that it does add more confirmation that it definitely is me and not Neville who the prophecy is about."

Harry sighed. "I trust all of you. It's common knowledge that I've been a target of Voldemort's. I just think you have the right to know that I will always be a target of Voldemort's. Staying close to me will just increase the danger you will be in."

Ron spoke up. "Ginny and I would be in danger anyway. Most of our family is actively fighting against You Know Who." Ginny nodded in agreement.

Hermione smiled at Ron. "I'd be in danger, too. I'm a muggle-born."

Ron muttered, "One who is smarter than the lot of them put together."

Neville added, "My Gran and I were always against him as well. Besides, I'm the other choice." He still looked slightly green at that. "No offense Harry, but I'm glad it's you."

"I've already been targeted back in my first year with the diary. I'm sure he already knows my name." Ginny had a stubborn look on her face.

Luna looked at Harry with her unblinking eyes. "I will always be your friend, Harry."

Harry smiled at her. "Thanks, Luna." He looked at the rest of them. His heart swelled with emotion. "Thank you, all. Enough of this heavy stuff. Let's take a day off and play some games!"

Harry aimed his wand at the games cupboard and the doors opened. They all forced themselves to put this discussion aside for the moment and try to enjoy just being together.

Saturday morning Harry got the news from Remus that he'd be coming to Grimmauld Place the next morning to stay the week for his transformation. Harry would be happy to have Remus around again. He wanted to do something for Neville's birthday since he was around. There were several other things he would like to be able to get as well. He wondered if Remus would let him go to Diagon Alley.

"I'm afraid not, Harry."

"Remus, I haven't been outside for over a month! I'm going to go stir crazy if I can't at least see the sun!"

Remus looked like he was debating something with himself. Finally he said, "I'll tell you what Sirius used to do. He used to sit on the roof for an hour each day with Buckbeak. I know it's not the ideal situation but at least you could get some sun that way. But you have to remember to come in before the end of the hour. The Disillusionment charm wears off after an hour and you're unprotected out there."

Harry and Remus both headed to the roof. The day was a pleasant day for late July and they brought along some chairs to sit on. Harry looked out over the city. Everything seemed so close yet so far.

"Remus, what can I do if I want to buy some stuff? How can I get it? Neville's birthday's coming up and I know what I want to get him, but I have to arrange it in Diagon Alley and you guys said I couldn't use Hedwig."

Remus looked at Harry sharply. "What all do you want to buy? I know you've got quite a bit of money, but you have to be sure you don't spend it frivolously."

"I'm not planning to spend money frivolously. I want to pay for Neville's new wand. His father's broke when he was fighting Death Eaters because he followed me and I want to pay for his new one. There must be some way to buy things, even without letting vendors know that it's me that's paying for it because I know Sirius bought my Firebolt that way. And just little things. I'd never replaced the watch that was broken in my fourth year. It would be nice to have one. My robes are finally getting a bit short. I know I'm still not all that tall, but they are two years old and I have grown some since then. I wouldn't mind some more books, either."

"For now I'll take a note to Ollivanders which can authorize payment for Neville's wand. Most shops have mail order catalogs. I'll pick up some for you this week. I'll have to find out from Professor Dumbledore what to do about deliveries."

"That'd be great, Remus. Could you get me some remodeling or decorating catalogs as well? I don't think Sirius would mind me spending some money trying to brighten up this place." Harry tried to add this with a nonchalant attitude.

It didn't work. Remus looked at him suspiciously. "We've already tried, Harry. This place is just resistant to any changes." His eyes narrowed. "What do you have up your sleeve? You know you can't do magic outside of school."

"I promise I won't use my wand for any magic in Grimmauld Place. Don't worry. It's just a thought and nothing might ever come of it. I'd start small and not spend a whole lot unless I see that something can be done." Harry held his breath, hoping Remus wouldn't catch his slight twisting of what Remus was concerned about and what Harry promised him. Harry figured he would be testing the limits of the Ministry's reading of Wandless magic Thursday night with the elf heads spell. The Ministry would either catch him at it or not. If they did, he wouldn't try any more outside of school or the trunk. BUT, if they didn't catch him using it, he knew he was going to keep using his magic wandlessly. It was a stupid rule that they couldn't do magic outside of school anyway.

Harry had not been using wandless magic outside of the trunk because he knew the spell for the elf heads was too important to risk getting a notice for some small bit of magic. If he was going to get in trouble, he wanted it to be for something worthwhile.

When their hour was almost up, Harry and Remus went inside. Harry went to the desk in the drawing room to get some parchment and Remus told him what should be included in the letter for Ollivander.

Monday morning Remus left for Diagon Alley. He brought back a huge pile of catalogs from all different types of stores. He warned Harry not to order anything as of yet until Dumbledore made arrangements for delivery. As much as Harry wanted to start going through the catalogs, he knew Thursday night was coming up fast, so when Remus went to take a nap, Harry headed for the trunk to practice his wandless magic. To his surprise, Hermione was in the trunk already. She was surrounded by several different types of books.

"Harry, I'm so glad you came down here. I think I've got the spell revision figured out. There are just a couple of changes. The original spell roughly translates to 'Will you and your descendants be a slave to me and my family household for all eternity.' Pretty nasty. What I've been able to come up with is a revised version of 'Will you and your descendants be a slave to me and my family household for as long as you are willing.' That's as close as I can come which would still give Winky and her children some freedom of choice. The drawback is that the power behind the spell will need to be increased a bit…" Hermione looked a bit uncomfortable.

"How much of 'a bit'?" Harry was a bit leery of Hermione's uncomfortable look.

"Oh, I'm not worried. You can do it. You are a powerful wizard, Harry. If you could do a Patronus at 13 I'm sure you could handle this. You just will really have to focus on this, ok?"

"Can I use my wand? Can we do this in the trunk?" Something was still off. Harry just knew it.

"Um…Well, it has to be done for the primary house she will serve. Since this trunk uses another dimension I'm not sure what that would do to the spell. I'm afraid you'll have to do it wandlessly out there." She tilted her head to indicate up Harry's ladder.

Harry closed his eyes. Now there were two big things he needed to do wandlessly and he wasn't sure he could do either.

Another voice joined in the conversation. Gideon was listening to what they were saying. "Harry, you have been able to do some very powerful things. Especially when your emotions are high and what needs to be done really matters to you. You can do it. If possible, have your friends with you to support you."

"Yes! We'll be there for you, Harry. All of us." Hermione was anxiously watching Harry.

Harry opened his eyes and gave Hermione a sickly grin. "Well, I'll certainly do my best. I think I'll try to get some more practice in while I can."

Monday evening passed quickly. Harry explained to Dobby what he was hoping to do for Winky and Dobby was very enthusiastic.

"Oh, Harry Potter, sir! That is a wonderful idea. Winky does so miss having a master and to have the Great Wizard Harry Potter…Dobby almost wishes to join, too." Dobby then hung his head.

Harry thought he understood. "Dobby, you know you always be my friend. You don't have to work for me to keep that friendship. If you need a place there will always be one with me if you want it. It doesn't matter to me if you are free and paid or not. You've become my friend. Whether you work for me or somewhere else."

"Dobby is so relieved, Harry Potter. Dobby really does like his freedom, but Dobby also likes being with Harry Potter. Dobby is so glad he will not lose the friendship of the Great Harry Potter if Dobby stays at Hogwarts." Dobby's eyes started leaking at the corners.

Harry and Dobby approached Winky. Harry tried to tell Winky that he would like her to become his house elf, but Winky wasn't responding well. Winky rocked back and forth, moaning, "Winky is a bad house-elf! Winky has clothes! Winky deserves clothes!"

Harry didn't know what to do. "Winky, please, listen to me. You are a good house elf. You took care of your masters son and house all by yourself and you did a good job. I need someone like that. This house has had some bad wizards and they didn't treat their house elves well, but I want to change that. The bad wizards are gone and this is my house now, but I need someone to take care of it. I can't be here all the time. I need some I trust to do a good job while I'm away to take care of my house. I need someone to take care of me, too. I trust you to do that. Please, Winky, would you consider being my house elf?"

Winky shook her head back and forth. "It be no good. This house won't give up the magic of past elves to let it be taken care of for good wizards. Winky will not be able to keep it how a master would want it and then Winky would be bad house elf again!" Winky burst into noisy tears. Her large tomato nose turning red.

"Winky, if I can free the house of the old house elf magic, would you consider working for me?"

"Ah, sir, Dobby has said you is a great wizard. If Harry Potter could free the elf magic from the house…" Winky was clearly trying to think things through but having a difficult time. For the past month she had been unresponsive to almost anything and this was the first time she was trying to be lucid. It was clearly taking a toll on her thought processes.

Dobby joined in. "Harry Potter is a great wizard! He can do anything he sets his mind to. He had Dobby freed when Dobby wanted that above all else, even when Dobby didn't even dare to think it possible! Harry Potter can free this house and help Winky!"

Harry felt uncomfortable with Dobby's praise. He didn't know if he could do it yet. He wasn't sure where Dobby got all this boundless faith in his abilities. He felt he needed to clear one thing up, though, if he should succeed.

"Just one thing, Winky…I'm a little strange for a master. I strongly believe in choice. I have a hard time with the concept of taking you or any house elf into my service and automatically forcing all your children to serve my family forever. With my belief I offer you the choice to serve me or not as you wish. But with the help of my friend, we've modified the enslavement spell so there is always a choice. For you. For your children. If you have a child, who like Dobby, would prefer freedom, they would have that freedom, no matter what my descendants would say. But you also have a choice to refuse that freedom and you can serve as proudly as any house elf."

Winky wasn't saying anything but she was still listening.

"I have seen how some house elves have been treated by their masters and I would like to protect your children from that fate."

Winky finally responded in a whisper. "If Harry Potter can remove the elf magic…we shall see."

"Thank you, Winky."

Tuesday came and Harry and Dobby tried baking a cake. Winky just watched them, occasionally correcting something they were about to do wrong. Harry was happy to see her involving herself even this much. The end result of the cake was a bit lopsided, but Harry thought it should taste all right. Remus was sleeping in quite late as his body was beginning to weaken for the full moon in two nights.

Harry climbed down the ladder and Dobby cracked down along with the cake. Harry had Dobby set it on the counter and asked if he wanted to wait for Neville as he had helped make the cake. Dobby still seemed amused by the idea of being able to get the credit for something he helped make.

After just a few minutes the others joined Harry and Dobby in the trunk.

"Happy Birthday, Neville! Dobby and I made you a cake." Neville looked surprised. Dobby beamed at being mentioned by Harry and popped away.

"You didn't have to do that, Harry." Neville was looking amazed.

Ron broke in. "Yeah, Harry. Mum is making him a cake later on for his party."

Hermione poked Ron in the side and Ginny glared at him. Ron looked confused. "What?"

Harry knew what. He couldn't go to the party. He at least had the mornings with his friends, but knew he missed out a lot on what they could do together during the rest of the day. Something twisted inside of him.

"Well, since I can't join that party, I thought we could have a small one here." Harry tried to smile. Ron suddenly had a look of comprehension on his face and started to turn red. Harry continued, "I reckon you can never have too much cake, even if it is a bit lopsided. Dobby and I aren't the best cooks, but we get by. I also have a gift for you." Harry handed Neville the gift note from Ollivander's.

Neville took it and started to protest that it was too much.

Harry looked seriously into Neville's eyes and said, "Neville, please let me do this. You were so brave in the Department of Mysteries and I know how much any item from your parents means to you. I know what they mean to me. I feel partly responsible for your father's wand breaking. Let me do this little thing to help me feel better."

Neville stared back into Harry's eyes and slowly nodded. "Thanks."

Harry shifted his attention back to the others. "I know it's early but what about some cake?"

Ron jumped forward eagerly. Hermione, on the other hand, started scolding. "Harry, you can't have cake right after breakfast!"

Harry just grinned at her. "If it makes you feel better, Hermione, I'm not. This is my breakfast!"

Hermione's eyes grew wide and Ginny started laughing.

Over the cake, Harry updated Hermione on his conversation with Winky. He told her how Winky seemed to listen and responded to what they were saying; how she even seemed to accept the modified spell as long as Harry could rid the house of the elf magic. If Harry failed, Winky wouldn't accept and he was afraid Winky would die.

"You can do it, Harry. I know this in my heart." Hermione's words lifted his spirits. "You can free the house elves and save Winky."

Tuesday passed just as quickly as Monday. After his friends left before noon, Harry had some lunch and then practiced all afternoon; only coming out of the trunk when Dobby told him Remus was up and about. When Harry was out of the trunk, Winky seemed to shadow him like a silent, watching ghost. Harry thought he saw a bit of hope in her large tennis-ball eyes.

Wednesday morning Harry woke up to a house elf bouncing on his bed. "Wake up, Harry Potter, sir! Wake up, Harry Potter! It is your birthday. Wake up!"

"I'm awake," Harry mumbled. "Wha' time issit?" Harry yawned. He looked around. Winky was standing silently in a corner, watching. Harry smiled at her.

"It is seven o'clock, Harry Potter! Time to get up! Come to the kitchen, Harry Potter, sir! We has something for you!" Dobby was still bouncing on Harry's bed with Harry still in it.

Harry ran a hand through his unruly hair and sat up. "I'll be right there." Dobby disappeared with a crack while Winky slowly left the room. She still didn't seem to feel she could disapparate like Dobby could, but at least she was moving about the house.

Harry quickly dressed and made his way to the kitchen. On the table was a large birthday cake.

"Happy Birthday, Harry Potter, Sir!" Dobby shouted. "Dobby made this cake with some help from Winky. It is for you, sir!" Dobby looked proud.

Harry looked at the cake. It was several layers high and leaned only slightly to the left. Harry then looked at the two house elves. "Thank you. You didn't have to do this, but I'm glad you did. Thank you very much, both of you." Dobby couldn't hold back any longer and threw himself at Harry's middle. Harry gave him a pat on the back as Dobby hugged his waist and looked over at Winky. After Dobby let go, Harry moved to Winky and kneeled in front of her. He put a hand on her shoulder and looked straight into her large eyes. "Thank you, Winky. That was very thoughtful of you."

Winky's bat-like ears pricked up a little and she got a small smile on her face. Harry felt like he had just won a race. He gave her a huge grin and got back up. "I think we should try this. What do you say?"

"Yes, yes, Harry Potter." Dobby was jumping up and down. Harry went and got a knife to cut the cake and cut three pieces. He put them on three separate plates.

The three were just starting on their cake, when Remus walked in. He was looking very haggard and pale. He saw the cake; Dobby eating his piece with it already mussed all over his face; Winky eating her piece very daintily; and Harry just grinning at the two and absently eating his piece.

"What is this?"

"Dobby and Winky made me a birthday cake. Would you like some?" Harry grinned at Remus.

"For breakfast? How could I refuse?" Remus walked over and got himself a plate and a piece of cake.

Harry finished off his piece. "This is a very good cake, Dobby, Winky."

Remus said, "There'll be a surprise for you later today. Dumbledore's cleared your friends for a visit. They should be here in about two hours."

"That'll be great. It will be excellent to see them again." Harry suspected Remus knew something about the trunk because he just gave him that look that told him that he knew somehow Harry was keeping in contact with his friends. Harry and Remus spent the rest of their time alone playing a game of wizard chess.

Late in the morning the doorbell rang and Mrs. Black's portrait started screeching.

Harry and Remus ran to the entrance hall. Remus started struggling with the moth-eaten curtains that could cover Mrs. Black's portrait while Harry answered the door. As the Weasley's came in carrying various packages and bags, all that could be heard was Mrs. Black's voice echoing through the house.

"Mudbloods, filthy half-breeds, blood traitors, children of filth…" She spotted Harry. "Insolent whelp, cheeky pup, half-blooded freak…"

Harry was enveloped in a Mrs. Weasley hug as Remus finally closed the curtains over the portrait and started stunning the other portraits that woke from Mrs. Blacks screeches. They made their way to the kitchen. Neville looked shell-shocked; Luna didn't seem phased at all. Everyone quietly filed into the kitchen.

Harry smirked at Neville. "Welcome to my home."

"Ron told me a bit about this place after Professor Dumbledore visited, but I didn't think it would be quite so…so…"

"Dark? Snake-loving? Run down? Depressing?" Harry could think of quite a few adjectives to describe this place.

"Ah…yeah. I see now why you'd like to redecorate a bit."

Ginny came over. "What do you do with Mrs. Black when Professor Lupin isn't here?"

"She doesn't wake up then. There's only me and the house elves in the house then. There isn't any noise to wake her up. One time I woke her up on purpose, just to see what would happen. She screamed for three hours before her voice started to give out. Then she just glared at me. She didn't like it when I just laughed at her. I get some of my own insults now, not just lumped in with the general population anymore."

Luna strolled by. "Hello, Harry. Happy Birthday."

"Yeah, Happy Birthday, mate!" Ron came up and gave Harry a slap on the back. Hermione and Ginny gave him birthday greetings as well.

Mrs. Weasley bustled over to them. "Why don't you kids go have a chat and catch up while I get some lunch on the table?"

The teenagers walked into the drawing room and made themselves comfortable. Harry started the conversation rolling with a smirk. "So what did you guys do since yesterday morning?"

"We went to Diagon Alley. It was brilliant. You should see Fred and George's shop! They're doing a bit of all right for themselves. They send their wishes. They wanted to come today, but needed to stay at the shop. I think even Mum was impressed with how well they seem to be doing." Ron seemed quite proud of his prankster brothers success.

Neville seemed to be the next to want to speak. He pulled a wand out and held it close for Harry to see. "Harry, look at my new wand! It's oak and very inflexible with a hair from the tail of a male unicorn core. It feels so different from my father's wand, I can't wait until we can go…" His eyes shifted around and he continued in a low voice, "…you know where, so I can try it out!" His voice returned to normal volume. "Mr. Ollivander said he remembered that my father's wand was a maple, very swishy with a phoenix feather core. He said that wasn't a good fit for me at all. He said most phoenix feather wand cores worked well for quite powerful wizards with a lot of raw power, but mine is able to bring out more of a finessed power. Much better for details."

Hermione looked at Harry. He knew she was thinking about the statement she had made to Harry earlier of how he was a powerful wizard. She knew he had a phoenix feather in his wand.

The others chatted a bit. Professor Dumbledore had told them that the OWL results were delayed because of some evaluation questions that had come up. Hermione was anxiously awaiting her results. Harry felt he could wait quite a lot longer for his.

The door opened and a tiny creature silently crept into the room. Winky, with her large eyes, tomato nose and bat-like ears made her way to a corner where she could watch Harry and slowly slid to sit on the floor.

Hermione looked from Winky's solemn look and filthy dress to Harry with tears in her eyes.

Harry got up and made his way to the corner Winky sat in. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, Winky. Have you met my friends? Do you remember Ron and Hermione from school? And over here we have Neville, Luna and Ginny." Winky reluctantly took her gaze from Harry and slowly looked to the others and briefly nodded to them before returning her gaze to Harry. The others in the room exchanged concerned gazes.

Hermione approached. "Winky, you're looking better than last week. How are you feeling?"

Winky didn't respond to Hermione. She kept her gaze unblinklingly on Harry.

Harry smiled reassuringly at Winky and answered Hermione. "Winky is doing a bit better, I think. She even talked a bit with me and Dobby and she moves around the house now."

Hermione looked at Harry. "Did you tell her…?"

"Dobby and I talked with her about becoming my house elf. If we can release the old elf magic from the house, she will consider it. I can't convince her that I wouldn't blame her for not being able to clean this house and rid it of the stuff I don't like. She thinks that I would consider her a bad house elf for not being able to do her duty."

"So it all rests on tomorrow night?" Hermione looked like she felt bad for Harry having this extra pressure put on him.

Neville looked slightly confused. "Hermione, you'd be ok with Harry taking a house elf? What happened to spew?"

Hermione got an indignant look on her face. "It's not spew, it's S.P.E.W.! The Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare! After seeing how serious it was with Winky, I've decided freeing all the house elves cold turkey may not be the way to go. I think I was pushing too hard. Apparently not all elves are ready for the concept of freedom. Harry had the idea of modifying the enslavement spell to give the elves the choice of slavery or freedom. I was able to research the spell and create a modification that would forever allow the house elf or any of their children to choose freedom if that is what they wanted at any time. I know it still keeps them as a slave if that is their choice, but at least it's a start and if an abusive situation would develop, the elf can get away. If this works, I hope to start promoting it and researching a way for current owners to give their elves the same type of choice. Eventually the elves may become more used to it and then more aggressive measures can be taken. So I've decided to start with the owners rather than the house elves themselves."

Ron got a grin on his face. "So, no more knitting hats and trying to trick them?"

Hermione got an embarrassed look on her face. "No. No more trying to trick them."

Ron decided enough conversation. "Someone want to play a game of chess?"

Hermione decided she would play Ron, but on a muggle set Harry had found in Grimmauld Place. Ginny and Luna were having their own conversation across the room.

Harry turned to Neville. "Hey, Nev. You want to go try out your…ah…gift?"

Neville's face lit up. "Sure! That's right. You can get in there, too."

Harry spoke aloud. "Dobby?"

"Yes, Harry Potter, sir! What can Dobby be doing for sirs?"

"Dobby, could you listen for anyone who wants to find us? Neville and I are going to go practice some." Harry turned towards Winky. "Do you want to come with us?" Winky slowly shook her head. Harry remembered she probably wouldn't like the ladder as she was afraid of heights. He smiled gently at her. "That's fine. Dobby could you keep Winky company while we go?"

"Dobby would be very happy to, Harry Potter. Your wheezymum is being very bossy-like in Dobby's kitchen. Dobby would be happy to stay out here with Winky. Dobby can also listen for Harry Potter from here."

Harry smiled at Dobby's description of Mrs. Weasley as well as Dobby's slight indignation of her taking over his kitchen. Harry knew Dobby didn't like being in the kitchen much, so it must just be a point of pride.

"You'll have to be patient with her, Dobby. Her working in the kitchen for my birthday lunch is part of her gift to me."

Dobby gave Harry a toothy grin. "Yes, Harry Potter, sir."

Harry took Neville to his room and walked to the trunk. In the corner of his eye he thought he saw movement. He looked over, but saw nothing. Just his bed, Ron's empty bed across the way and the empty ornate picture frame between the two. Harry shrugged and turned to the trunk.

"Right this way, Nev." Harry opened the lid and started to descend.

When Neville started his descent he looked up. "Wow, Harry. I can see two doors in the ceiling, now. Not just one."

Harry just chuckled and got out the Spellseye. "Let's see what you can do."

They spent an enjoyable half hour in the trunk testing different things with Neville's wand before Dobby came to get them. Neville spent a while with the Spellseye and then Harry would send a few of the new short jinxes and hexes he had learned towards Neville while he would block them. Neville was ecstatic with how his new wand performed.

"This is so easy. It just feels so much better. As much as I liked having my father's wand, I think I almost prefer it broken." Neville stopped abruptly and his face dropped. "That's an awful thing to say, isn't it?"

Harry put his hand on Neville's shoulder. "I don't think so. Not using your father's wand every day doesn't mean you love him any less. You are your own person with your own strengths. I think your parents would want you to be able to use tools that would help you show those strengths the best, don't you?"

Neville tilted his head, then slowly smiled. "Yeah. But I'm not sure about my Gran, though."

Harry fidgeted a bit. "I'm not sure my godfather always saw me as Harry, either. It's been pointed out that he may have sometimes confused me with my father. Wanting me to be my father."

Neville looked at Harry with a small bit of shocked surprise in his eyes. "We really are alike, aren't we?"

Harry gave a half smile. "Yeah, Neville. I really think we are."

The lunch tasted wonderful. Mrs. Weasley made several of Harry's favorite foods. Afterwards a large cake was brought out. Mrs. Weasley lit several candles and stepped back.

Harry had heard about this. He'd just never done it before. He closed his eyes and wished as hard as he could that tomorrow night's spell would be a success. There was so much riding on it now.

He opened his eyes again and took a deep breath. Harry blew out all the candles. There was a cheer in the room. Luna had a thoughtful look on her face.

Everyone started chatting while Mrs. Weasley cut pieces of cake. Luna came over to Harry and softly said, "You've never done that before. Have you?"

Harry blushed faintly. "You could tell? My cousin, Dudley, got the parties and he'd show off the gifts later, but for the party itself I would be kept busy…elsewhere." Harry's eyes looked off to the distant past. He remembered many parties being listened to from his cupboard.

Harry shook off the memories and smiled at Luna. "At least now I know what it's like."

The party slowly made it's way into the drawing room where the pile of presents had accumulated.

Harry started to open them. Fred and George sent him a sampler box of their latest wheezes. Hagrid had sent him a crossbow and some arrows along with a box of rock cakes. Luna gave him a necklace with white owl feathers attached to it. She said it should help him with his adoption process. Remus gave him a watch with an alarm that could be set. It was preset for just under an hours time. Remus gave him a small nod when Harry glanced at him with a silent question in his eyes. Harry smiled gratefully. His friends gave him three books; two defensive books, and an encyclopedia of different animals and their anatomy. Mrs. Weasley gave Harry several mince pies and other food. Dobby gave him a pair of socks; one with a wizard on it and the other with a house elf on it. Each had happy looks on their faces. Dobby's face beamed as Harry thanked him and put the socks on. Winky just watched silently.

Everyone sat enjoying themselves for another hour until Mrs. Weasley said it was time to go. After they left, Remus left Harry to take a nap. He was looking quite haggard again. Harry set his watch and sat on the roof for an hour looking at his new books.

Harry was awake early Thursday morning. He had turned in early the previous night because he knew it would be a late night tonight. He went down into the trunk.

By the time his friends had come down Harry had already spent an hour on wandless magic practice with the belt set at a very high level. They silently got to work on their morning routines. Each of the others could almost feel the pressure Harry was putting on himself. At mid-morning they took a break.

Harry lifted his eyes to his friends and hesitantly asked, "Do you think you could all come tonight? Remus will be locked in his room and even without the locks and wards he's been taking the Wolfsbane potion so you don't have to worry about him."

Ginny smiled at him. "Of course we'll be there, Harry. We've even arranged it for Luna to stay the night so she can be there, too."

Harry smiled and they could all see the relief plain on his face. He visibly relaxed. The rest of the morning flew by.

After they left at noon, Harry thought it would be wise to try to take a nap to rest up a bit more. Although he tried, he could not get his mind to settle. He went back to the trunk and tried taking a bath but that couldn't get his mind off of the night to come, either. Giving up on the idea, Harry started practicing some more. Before Harry left for the evening meal, Gideon and Fabian offered their last bit of advice and encouragement.

"Remember, Harry, your feelings can amplify your power."

"Your friends can help you, too. Let them."

"You'll do fine."

"We believe you can do it."

Remus kept to his room since lunch and Harry ate with Dobby and Winky. It was a pretty quiet meal as each thought of what was going to happen tonight.

Harry went to the roof, avoiding looking at the shrunken elf heads, with one of his new books and tried to read for an hour. But when he came back down an hour later he realized he had no clue what he had been reading about.

He thought of the spell he would be performing in a short while. The translation was roughly "Liberate and free from the master the body, spirit and magic belonging to this household." He was extremely nervous and started pacing.

At 8 pm darkness had fallen outside and the moon was rising. Shortly before 9 pm he opened his trunk and waited for his friends. They all came down the ladder at 9 pm and gave him encouraging pats or hugs. They all climbed up Harry's ladder and made their way to the hallway with the shrunken elf heads. Dobby and Winky were already there.

Harry stepped forward. "Well, here it goes." He closed his eyes and tried to feel the power in his chest. He wasn't sure if it was the power or just his stomach feeling sick. He started the spell. "Libero vaco corpus animus vires familiaris!" Harry threw his hand towards the elf heads. They glowed with a blue light for a moment and then the blue light vanished and the heads were still there.

Harry slumped with defeat. Why did he ever think he had the power to do this spell. He had read a bit more about house elves and what Sirius' ancestor had done by binding them to the house forever. How had he ever thought that a 16 year old boy could try to break that binding. Wandlessly no less! Harry felt he let everybody down.

He felt a hand touch his shoulder. He looked to his left and saw Ron. Hermione came forward, too, then Ginny, Neville, and Luna all came forward and formed a half circle around him, each touching his arm, shoulder or back. Dobby stepped forward and touched his waist. Then, finally, Winky came forward and took his left hand. Harry looked at them all. Each had belief in their eyes and a trust that he could do this.

Ron squeezed his shoulder. Harry turned to him. "Do it, Harry."

And then it hit him – he understood.

His friends believed he could do this. Harry felt a squeeze of his hand. Winky needed him to do this. This wasn't a choice. Age didn't matter. This needed to be done. Harry looked at the shrunken heads and said in a low, intense voice, "Libero vaco corpus animus vires familiaris!"

A blinding white/blue light lit the whole wall. Everyone stepped back and lifted arms to shield their eyes. A whirling wind seemed to fill the house and then leave with a whoosh like a vacuum. When the light faded, the shrunken heads were gone.

A huge cheer went up. Harry was attacked from all sides. Everyone was pounding his back with congratulations. Dobby was jumping up and down shouting, "Harry Potter did it! Harry Potter did it! I's told you Harry Potter was a great wizard!"

Harry made his way out of the pile of his friends who were all hugging each other now. The girls were crying. Harry looked for Winky. She had fallen to the floor where she had been standing and just sat there and sobbed. "Winky? What's wrong?"

"Winky is sorry she doubted Harry Potter. Winky hoped, and hoped, but wasn't sure. But now Winky knows that she does not deserve to work for so great a wizard as Harry Potter. Winky should just go away. Harry Potter deserves a proper house elf, not one that has been disgraced."

Harry knelt down by the heartbroken elf and put an arm around her shoulders. "Winky, I want you. You saw what happened. I couldn't do the spell by myself. I needed you and my other friends to succeed. I couldn't have done it without you!"

"Sir…wants…Winky?"

"Yes. I want you, Winky."

Winky looked deep into Harry's eyes with her enormous ones. Slowly she stood up and curtsied deeply to Harry. "Then Winky will be your house elf."

Harry felt relieved. He was afraid that Winky was going to refuse him and all this would have been for nothing. He smiled at Winky. His friends had gathered around. They had all calmed down and heard Harry's and Winky's conversation. Dobby started jumping up and down again clapping his hands.

"Winky is ready, sir. Whenever master chooses to begin the spell." She knelt on the ground in front of Harry.

Harry felt a little uncomfortable with the 'master' and her kneeling in front of him. Reminded him a bit too much of Voldemort. He looked to Hermione for reassurance. She was biting her lip and her brow was furrowed with concern, but she gave a nod to Harry.

"Volo tu et progenies servio ego et familia quod si vis." Harry intoned the revised enslavement with a choice of freedom spell. He held his hand out to Winky, palm down. Winky kept her head bowed but lifted her hand up to meet Harry's, palm up.

"Inservio." she responded. A green light surrounded Harry and Winky. When the light faded, Winky's clothing had changed. She had on a pretty, white dress with an emerald green 'P' insignia on the front with a jagged lightning-bolt forming the straight side of the letter. She stood up and looked at it. Dobby's eyes got huge.

"Winky. Look at you!" He stared at Winky as if he'd never seen her before.

Hermione leaned over to Harry. Her eyes were sparkling. "Winky has an actual dress…Harry I'm proud of you."

Harry smiled. "So you think it worked?"

"I'm sure it worked." Hermione beamed at Harry. "If it hadn't, you wouldn't have seen any change."

Dobby was still staring at Winky and she seemed to be blushing shyly. She lifted her eyes to Harry. Her eyes started to water and Harry could see the joy in them. "Master!" and she threw herself on the ground and started to kiss Harry's feet.

Harry stepped back and knelt down beside Winky. "Winky? You don't have to kiss my feet." Her head lifted and she looked at him. "Could I also ask you a favor?"

"Anything, Master." Winky was looking at him with adoration.

"Could you call me Harry? Or Harry Potter, like before? I really don't like the title 'master'. Reminds me a bit too much of Lord Voldemort. He likes people using that title for him."

Winky had been looking a little uncomfortable with the beginning of the request, but with the explanation she seemed to accept it. "Of course, Harry Potter, sir. Winky will do alls you ask. If I should fail you, Winky will punish herself most severely."

Harry got a panicked look on his face. "No. No punishments. How about if you feel that you need a punishment for some reason, you come talk to me about it and we'll work something out. I don't want you hurting yourself."

Winky had a confused look on her face again. But then it cleared as she remembered that Harry had told her he would be a strange master. "It shall be as you say, Harry Potter, sir. What would you like Winky to do first, Harry Potter, sir?"

Harry looked around at his friends. "Could you get us all some pumpkin juice?"

Winky took a deep breath and looked at her fingers. Harry could tell she was shaking, slightly. He thought she might be nervous. She hadn't been able to use her magic for almost a month. Harry leaned in low beside her and softly said, "If your magic doesn't work, I still want you to stay with me." Winky looked up at him and gave him a huge smile and snapped her fingers.

"Drinks is in the drawing room, sir." Winky said. She seemed quite relieved when they entered the drawing room and glasses filled with pumpkin juice were, indeed, on a table.

"Get something for yourself and Dobby and join us."

With more confidence, Winky snapped her fingers again and two small glasses of water also appeared on the tray. Together they all found places to sit and finally Harry felt he could relax with his friends.

1 Quote from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.