Dumbledore and Sirius arrived at the House-Elves' Quarters to find the short creatures at tea-time.
"Excuse me," said Sirius to a nearby elf. "Do you know where I can find Hokey?"
"Hokey? Hokey is over there," the elf pointed to a far corner where everything was draped in pink. A small tea table sported a pink lacy tablecloth, and pink-flowered teacups.
"Hello there, Hokey," said Dumbledore.
She looked up, her old face stained with what seemed to be years of crying. "Hokey is not wanting to see any guests now," she replied from her rocker.
"It is very important that I speak with you Hokey," persisted the wizard. "My name is Albus Dumbledore and—"
Hokey began wheezing and gasping.
"Are you all right?" Sirius looked worried. After a few moments, Hokey calmed.
"Hokey is sorry. She is not expecting such a great wizard to pay her a visit!" she threw herself at Dumbledore's feet, and proceeded with polishing his shoes using her pink frilly apron.
"Come, come," said Dumbledore gently. "Let us sit."
My my… these house-elves never change, thought Sirius to himself, shaking his head in mild amusement.
"Now then, I wanted to ask you about—oh, no tea, thank you," Dumbledore shook his head.
"Now, I wanted to ask you about any of your descendents. Would you happen to know where Pokey can be found?"
Hokey stared. "Why is Sir Dumbledore wanting to find Pokey?"
"Well Hokey, do remember when your Mistress' valuable items were stolen?"
Hokey looked woeful. "Yes, Hokey is remembering. Hokey is blaming herself for letting that young man steal them! Hokey must punish herself for poisoning dear Mistress!" And with that outburst, she slammed her head repetitively against the table, rattling the little teacups in their saucers.
"There there, that was not your fault!" exclaimed Dumbledore. He glanced at Sirius. "Could I speak with Hokey alone, Sirius?"
"Of course…"
Hokey heaved a sigh and a stream of tears trickled down her cheek and with a dismal "plop", landed in her teacup.
"Will you listen carefully Hokey?"
Hokey nodded through her handkerchief. "Hokey will listen to Dumbledore because he is a good wizard! A dead wizard, but a good wizard!" After saying that last sentence, her head wavered above the table as she debated whether or not she should punish herself for possibly insulting Dumbledore.
"Listen. That young man that came from Borgins and Burkes, he was the one that stole Hepzibah's prize treasures. He killed Hepzibah and modified your memory so that you would think you did it."
Hokey's eyes widened and she released a little high-pitched squeak that caused the other house-elves to glance over and shake their heads.
"No no," cried Hokey. "Hokey did it! Hokey killed her!" She slammed her head against the table again, squealing.
"Look at me Hokey," said Dumbledore, in a calm voice. "Do you trust me?"
"Why yes—Hokey trusts—you sir!"
"Then believe me when I tell you that you were innocent."
Hokey was silent for a few moments and finally she sighed. "Hokey believes Dumbledore. Hokey remembers being suspicious of Tom. Hokey remembers."
"Thank you, Hokey. But now, I am searching for Tom and the locket and cup he stole. And that is why you must help me find Pokey."
"But why?"
"Pokey is your grand-child. She is the only house-elf in your line left to serve Hepzibah's family. Don't you know Hokey, that the contract that binds the house-elves to their masters requires that one must make all efforts to fulfill every wish and whim of master and mistress? Hepzibah died knowing her valuables were lost. She would want—"
"—her valuables back!" cried Hokey, getting excited. "Hokey knows the rules! Pokey must finish the undone business! Hokey will tell! Hokey will tell where Pokey is!"
Dumbledore nodded approving. Good job, Alberto. You the man! You bad! He thought to himself.
"Let me see…" said Hokey suddenly. "Hokey must remember where Pokey lives…Ah yes! Pokey lives with Hulga in Antarctica!"
"Antarctica? Are you sure?" said Dumbledore, a little suspicious of Hokey's memory.
"Yes yes! Antarctica!"
"Well Antarctica it is! Thank you ever so much Hokey. I am indebted to you for your help."
Dumbledore bowed.
"No no, Hokey thanks Dumbledore for his visit!" squeaked Hokey, now dripping tears of joy into her now salty cup of tea.
Sirius grinned at Dumbledore as he headed towards the Departure Elevator. "Some goody package that Lily and James sent, eh?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "Poor kids, I didn't have the heart to tell them that you can export things from the underworld to the real world. Here, help me eat some of the food before we leave so that it won't go to waste."
And so, as Sirius munched along with Dumbledore on the chocolate frogs, and lamented over the shiny broomstick and other little presents as they sat in the elevator and zipped upwards while sitting on some comfortable lounge chairs.
"Now, I'll have to send Harry a letter letting him know about Pokey. And then I shall be off looking for the other items…"
"Harry? You'll be in touch with him?" Sirius looked eagerly at Dumbledore, who shook his head grimly at him.
"Sirius, he cannot know that you are alive. He cannot know that I am alive, not yet anyway. There are things that need to be done. And the less the world knows about us, the better."