Author note: For the record this day occurs on July 12th. Harry ran away from Privet drive on the 7th. So far only one week has managed to occur in the story. No we will not be traveling this slow for all of the story but a lot needs to be set up before we get there. This chapter is the morning.
===xxx===xx(Chapter begins)
The next morning as the Grangers were preparing for breakfast the doorbell rang. "I'll get it" Hermione called out as she came down the stairs. Her attire for the day a pair of tight workout pants, T-shirt and sports bra. Harry followed with his usual athletic pants and T shirt ensemble.
Checking who was at the door Hermione saw it was Luna. She was wearing a pair of bib shorts and a sunburst orange T shirt under them with sneakers. Opening the door she greeted the blonde happily, "Hello Luna. How're you?"
"I am quite well. Hello Harry which did you enjoy better the Stimulation or the Coitus?"
Harry opened his mouth then smoothly said, "They were both great. I really couldn't tell you which was better as I enjoyed both."
Luna frowned slightly, "I may have to get on the prophylactic potion so that we can reverse the order of things. You stimulate him and I have coitus to make sure. That is if you would like to have coitus with me Harry."
"I forgot something upstairs I'll be back down in a few minutes." He said running off.
"Chicken!" Hermione yelled up the stairs after him
"As he was getting an erection he is going to go masturbate isn't he?" Luna asked.
"Yeah probably. C'mon in. We're just getting ready to have breakfast."
"Oh good I brought some more tulaberries for your father. He said he had an idea for a dessert with them." She said picking up a small basket.
"Oh cool." Hermione said leading Luna into the kitchen.
"What was the yelling about Pumpkin?" her dad asked.
"Oh. I'm sorry Daniel I apparently aroused Harry and he ran upstairs to masturbate." Luna intoned honestly, "Here's some more tulaberries."
Daniel tried to not laugh and only managed to wind up snorting, "Ahh thanks Luna."
"Should we go see if Harry needs a hand Hermione?" Luna smiled.
"I think he'll be okay. Its probably too early in the morning to gang up on him."
Luna seemed to accept that and sat down. "I hope I am not bothering you but Daniel said I could come by anytime."
"Daniel?" Emma asked teasingly.
Before Daniel could say anything Luna nodded, "Well I cannot call him dad or any other permutation as I already have a father, and I cannot call him Mr Granger as that is incredibly formal. Also he said it was alright to call him Dan. I do not feel comfortable enough calling him Dan so I'll call him Daniel as a compromise."
"Oh. That makes a lot of logical sense Luna." Emma smiled winking at Dan.
"Thank you. That's not what people usually say to me at school."
"Oh what do they usually say?"
"Shut up Luna." She said sighing.
"Well since you're our friend we'll put a stop to that." Hermione declared.
"Thank you Hermione, however I understand. Even father says that I can be quite tiring to know sometimes."
"Oh. I think you're sweet." Emma stated.
Luna blinked as if she was processing being complimented, "Thank you ma'am."
"Emma. If I get called Ma'am in this house one more time I am going to start screaming."
"That would be uncomfortable wouldn't it?" Luna asked with some concern.
"Yes. For everyone else." Emma declared.
Harry came in smiling carefully sitting beside Hermione and Luna.
"Do you feel better Harry?"
"Yeah thanks Luna." He said glancing at Hermione who was trying not to laugh.
"Well I'm making crepes tonight with the tulaberries. So try to be back in time from your secret mission."
"Its not so secret a mission dad. We're going to Harry's to clean and prepare the place."
"Nice. Still get home for dinner pumpkin."
"Yes dad."
"Oh Luna are you on the protection potion?" Emma bluntly asked.
"No ma. Emma. That's why I can't have coitus with Harry." Luna explained as she tucked into the breakfast plate Dan slid in front of her.
"Hey why're you feeding her first." Hermione huffed jokingly.
"She's a guest and we always treat guests before family. You guys can fend for yourselves." Dan said sitting down with his and Emma's plates.
Hermione rolled her eyes but got up with Harry to get their own breakfast. "Thanks dad. We love you."
"I know. What's not to love."
"Do you want me to list them alphabetically or numerically?" Emma asked sarcastically.
Dan threw his hand to his forehead, "Oh the torture and abuse why do I tolerate it and not throw myself in front of a bus."
"Oh I dunno." Emma said taking one of the sausage links off her plate and sucking it between her lips seductively.
Dan cleared his throat with a satisfied sigh, "Oh yeah that's why."
Sitting down Harry and Hermione laughed as Luna looked at her sausage then back at Emma who was whispering something into Dan's ear.
"Is something wrong Luna?" Harry asked noticing her expression.
"No I just find it interesting that the pure-blood supremacist propaganda paints muggles as cold unfeeling animals that barely support their children when they are not murdering them or each other. They picture muggles as little more than animals. Father said since I am going to be spending a great deal of time around muggles I could write an article about the true nature of muggle life."
"Oh uh. Well we're not entirely typical Luna." Emma confessed.
"No we're rather bohemian in our lifestyle and rather unconventional in our beliefs. Okay? So trying to establish a picture of all muggles from us might be a bit skewed." Dan pointed out.
"Still you seem to love each other and have accepted Harry and myself almost as surrogate members of your family. Especially as Harry and Hermione engage in coitus and you do not seem to be upset other than not wanting her to produce children yet."
"Well uh that has a lot to do with how I grew up Luna. Maybe after dinner tonight I'll tell you a bit about it ok?"
"I would like that Daniel." Luna greed happily.
The doorbell rang at that point causing Daniel to go "Welcome to Piccadilly." Before getting up and answering the door. Emma smiled at Luna, "A lot of us muggles love our children and our family. There are quite a few who do have problems or are what you might call bad but from the way you guys talk it doesn't sound any different among magicals."
"It would seem a lot of the differences are manufactured." Luna agreed.
Daniel walked in with Lavender behind him, "Well Well looks like pretty girls are just coming out of the woodwork this morning."
"Hi. I hope I'm not bothering you." Lavender said blushing slightly as Daniel pulled another chair over for Lavender to sit at the table.
"Oh no problem, you're welcome to come here. I thought you were helping at the clinic." Hermione said.
"I told Mom and Dad what I could about the group and they agreed that it sounds more important. So she said I should train and work hard to help prevent people getting hurt." Lavender told them.
"Oh wow. Okay well we had planned on going over to Harry's place in London to clean and fix it up. That way we have a place to train for magic and the rest." Hermione explained.
"Will we be coming here too?" Luna asked hopefully.
"Sometimes yeah. And you can still come over of course." Hermione rubbed Luna's arm in compassion. "We like you."
"Oh good. This house has a very happy feel about it." Luna enthused.
"And on that note we need to get to the office. Those teeth are not going to fix themselves." Emma said getting up and stretching languorously.
Luna watched her then happily joined the rest of the family in hugging them for their departure.
"Alright guys before we go over you want to do some stretching exercises and the morning work out? It'll take about an hour."
"I didn't exactly wear workout clothes." Lavender said looking at her skirt and blouse.
"I guess. You could still exercise in that outfit if you wanted but if not I can let you borrow something of mine."
"Would it fit?" Lavender said looking at Hermione's more toned body than her thicker one.
"Maybe a bit tight but I've got some stuff that stretches. You'd be amazed at what they can do with spandex."
"And what will Harry and I do?"
Hermione winked at her and said, "Well you and Harry could go downstairs and get started stretching. You look pretty comfortable in that outfit."
"It is very comfortable. I have a great range of flexibility in it." Luna nodded in agreement.
"Alright meet you downstairs." Hermione said taking Lavender upstairs.
===xxx===xx
Harry and Luna went down to the exercise room quietly. Beginning their stretches Harry avoided looking at Luna. She eventually sighed and asked, "Do I make you uncomfortable Harry?"
"No Luna you don't make me uncomfortable. I'm just." he paused thinking for a moment, "I've just had a lot of emotional shocks in a short time and am trying to deal with it all."
"The loss of Sirius was very unpleasant." She quietly said bending over to place her forehead on the floor between her outstretched legs.
Shaking his head for a moment Harry said, "Yeah. He said we would be family and he'd help take care of me. Now he's gone. This after finding out the Weasleys were messed with by that Rat Pettigrew."
"And you are now with another family group that has accepted you and this makes you afraid they will be taken from you as well." She said moving her body until she was balanced on her finger and toe tips.
Harry snorted, "yeah I guess so."
"I know I would feel that way in your situation Harry. It is rather unfortunate." She said swinging her legs around so she wound up sitting Indian style looking at him.
"How do you do that?"
"Padma practices Yoga in the morning and evenings. She has let me join her as long as I do so quietly." Luna explained. "Or are you referring to understanding how you feel?"
"Uh both I guess."
"Well you are a rather emotional person Harry. For as much as you like to keep your pain bottled inside it leaks out on your face and in your aura."
"Oh. So how do I stop it leaking out?"
"You don't. Its okay to have emotions and feelings Harry. It's very unhealthy to not have them."
"I know. Just sometimes I feel like they're going to spiral out of control and cause me to go crazy."
Luna shrugged, "It happens. Normal is highly overrated."
Harry laughed briefly. "I guess it can be. So what do you suggest I do?"
"Enjoy what you have right now and not worry about what will be. We forget to do that far too frequently." She smiled.
Harry leaned over and kissed Luna on the lips, "Thanks. You're right. I do need to try a bit harder to remember that."
"Yes. You do." She said with a goofy smile.
"You okay Luna?"
"Yes you are the first boy who has actually kissed me."
"Oh. I'm sorry. Did I do wrong?" Harry suddenly got concerned.
Luna shook her head rapidly, "Oh no. I very much enjoyed that. I do not mind if you do that again."
"Okay. We should get back to exercising first then maybe later?"
"Very good idea. I think I hear Hermione and Lavender approaching."
"Right." Harry said resuming the exercises Hermione had shown them.
Walking in Hermione chuckled, "Well either they get dressed very quickly or you were right Lavender."
Lavender shrugged. Her and Hermione were wearing spandex body suits which clung to their curves and left little to Harry's imagination. She coyly shifted her position a few times to make sure he got a good look.
"So you like Harry?" Lavender asked bashfully.
"Uh yeah. You look good."
"Even compared to Hermione?"
"Uh You look good in your own way Lavender."
Luna giggled, "That's a good Ravenclaw answer Harry.
"Dad's been teaching him well." Hermione laughed.
"Thanks Harry. I was kinda nervous and self-conscious. I still can't believe how much hotter Hermione is than I ever thought."
"Well it's not like we change clothes out in the open or shower together. And I downplay my looks at school." Hermione explained.
"Wait a second, what do you mean you don't shower together or change clothes in the open?"
"The girl's dorms all have private showers and changing rooms. Don't the boy's side have that?"
"No we have a communal shower and change in the dorms. I've seen Ron's naked butt every day of every year since first year. Damn." Harry gagged.
Lavender giggled, "I dunno. I don't think I'd mind seeing Neville's." As they began exercising.
"Well he's always first in and dressed before everyone else is awake. Ron claims its because he's embarrassed of how. Uh Well small he is."
"Really? Ron thinks Neville has a small dick?" Lavender pouted.
"I try not to get involved in that conversation." Harry stated with a look of disgust. "Other guys do not interest me."
"Given by the way your pants are tent poled Harry we can tell." Hermione grinned while wiggling her eyebrows.
"Will he need some more assistance?" Luna offered hopefully.
"Maybe Lavender would like to take a turn Luna." Hermione neutrally said.
"Oh true." Luna agreed, "Would you like to help relieve Harry's tension Lavender?"
Harry stopped suddenly, "Hey wait a second. What are you doing passing me around the entire dorm?"
"No not the entire dorm Harry. I think Fay Dunbar would pass out if you said the word dick in front of her much less pulled it out and waved it in front of her." Hermione sighed, "And keep moving Harry its called aerobics not standbics. Or has the blood gone out of your legs?"
Harry started moving again, "I think my legs are just fine."
Luna happily sighed, "Yeah they are." From behind him.
"I notice you didn't say anything Lavender?" Hermione asked.
"I'm considering things."
Harry just gave a groaning sigh and kept running in place.
===xxx===xx
An hour and half after they began the four were covered in a light sweat and drinking in the kitchen.
"Okay we need to clean up and get over to Grimmould. Quick showers and get dressed. Who wants first dibs?"
"On Harry or the shower?" Luna asked.
"Calm down girl." Hermione chided gently, "I think I created a monster."
"I am sorry. My hormones appear to have been awakened and suddenly my thoughts involve random acts of lust induced debauchery. And as I have not be debauched yet that is something I am rather curious about." Luna explained earnestly.
"Well until and unless you're on the prophylactic potion you're still not going to get debauched by Harry at least any time soon. So go take a shower and calm down." Hermione said shaking her head.
"Yes Hermione." Luna pouted but moved off towards the stairs.
Lavender smiled, "I'm on the potion but I don't think I'm ready to be debauched yet."
"Its okay Lavender. You don't have to be. I don't think Hermione is being serious." Harry pointed out.
"What do you mean?" Hermione crossed her arms under her chest.
"I mean I. Uh. You aren't being serious about sharing me right?"
"Why not?" Hermione asked with a clam expression.
"Uh because we're together. And when people are together they only do that sort of stuff with each other right?"
"Usually. Although while mom and dad don't play around some of her friends at the club do, and with Uncle Paul and his lifestyle I've been exposed to some, to quote Luna, various permutations of coupling. As long as everyone involved is consenting and happy and willing then why limit yourself. Especially since we're at war Harry and tomorrow is not guaranteed." She said absentmindedly running her hand down her right breast and ribs then across her abdomen.
Harry's face fell as he saw the route she was tracing. The same route the purple fire had taken when it struck her. Causing her to fall in a heap unmoving. "Right. I know."
She saw his face, "Look Harry. I followed you because I believe in you, and without me who knows what you would do. Don't get all guilty on me now."
Harry took a deep breath, "Okay right. Carpe deim."
"Carpe deim." Hermione agreed giving him a hug and kiss.
Lavender looked form one to the other, "Uh am I missing something here?"
"When we were at the Ministry I was hit by a spell from Anton Dolohov. If I hadn't silenced him I would be dead now. The spell causes your magic to burn you form the inside out. Since I silenced him it only injured me very seriously and took a couple weeks of a major potions regimen to get things sorted out." Hermione explained. "Harry keeps blaming himself for us getting wounded when we followed him because we wanted to help him."
"Yeah so if you want to back out now." Harry sadly said.
"No. I'm not going to back out. My mom was a young healer at Saint Mungos in the first war. She saw a lot of people get hit by curses and spells. She might have even seen people hit by that one from some of what she said. Dad was a gentleman farmer so his family tried to keep their head down but his brother still got killed for speaking out against you-know-who. So many families lost people that I want to fight. I want to help." Lavender's face had lost its usual flighty expression and taken on the seriousness of a warrior.
Hermione put her hand on Lavender's shoulder and squeezed, "And we'll be happy to have you with us Lavender. That's why you got invited."
"I guess. Just everyone takes me for a flighty dumb blonde with boobs. Only interested in shallow stuff. I want to do my part to help and I'm really grateful you guys invited me."
"No problem. Your healing skills might come in handy, and if you can teach the rest of us at least the basics then maybe we can get more chances to survive things." Harry told her honestly.
"I'll try."
"Okay well you run up and tell Luna its your turn to get cleaned up. We're on a time limit here. Dad's crepes are to die for."
"With his cooking how come you're not bigger?"
"Why do you think I work out so hard." Hermione chuckled.
Lavender nodded and started upstairs. "Oh hey what do you want me to do with the outfit?"
"Do you have any exercise stuff?"
Lavender shook her head, "No not really."
"Well then go ahead and keep it. I've got enough and if I need to I can always go nude."
Lavender laughed, "Well that might motivate Harry to work harder."
"Well it'll certainly motivate him to be harder about something." Hermione agreed.
===xxx===xx
The four teens, all cleaned and dressed with little distraction, much to Luna's disappointment. Soon arrived at Grimmould Place. Opening the door after placing his Black Family ring against the proper spot Harry hesitated briefly. Hermione took his left hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
Stepping across the threshold Harry was struck by how dark and oppressive the house felt now. Without Sirius and the others here to liven it up.
Lavender frowned as she had never been here before. "Uh no offense Harry but this place sucks."
The portrait of Walburga awoke as they had forgotten to warn Lavender about it. "Filth, filth invading the noble house of Black Mudbloods. Filthy freaks. Get out, get out now and leave this honorable place of purity!" this set the other paintings off too. Soon the entire corridor was filled with angrily yelling and insulting paintings.
Harry got bent and angry so screamed at her to shut up which just drove her eye rolling frothing madness into great paroxysms of insanity. Harry tried whacking the painting with his ring screaming at it to shut up as he let his frustrations flow out of him. Punching the painting causing it to have small nicks taken out of the surface. The painting saw or felt or somehow noticed it and started screaming for Kreacher to come save her. "Protect me Kreacher. Protect the honor of House Black!"
"Mistress Kreacher cannot harm his master now. Filthy mudblood lover is Kreacher's current master."
"Kreacher shut her up somehow or so help me I will remove this painting from existence with a fire axe!" The other paintings decided to be silent but Walburga screamed even more invectives in her bloodcurdling screeching voice.
Kreacher hesitated but deciding that Harry's anger washing off him reinforced his order did as he was told and the painting fell silent. She still moved and gesticulated but no sound issued forth.
Into the silence Luna spoke, "Thank you Kreacher was it?"
Kreacher look up at Luna in awe as she had stepped in front of Harry. "The pretty one speaks to Kreacher softly. Kreacher is impressed. What does the pretty one want from Kreacher." The ancient house elf asked.
"I wanted to say hello. And to thank you for helping calm Harry down."
"Kreacher did what he was ordered to by master. Master wears the ring of the house. The house and its servants must obey the ring bearer."
"Very well. We are going to explore the house so just keep her calm until we can figure out where to put her picture. You are very fond of this painting?" Luna asked. Harry and the others let her deal with Kreacher. Even as much as Hermione wanted to see house elves as victims she had trouble empathizing with this wretch.
"Kreacher loves his mistress. She was good to Kreacher. Let Kreacher have many treats."
Luna smiled and knelt by Kreacher to talk to him on his level more, "Good for you. It is nice to have someone you admire. Perhaps we can find a room for you to put it in so you and her can talk and not bother everyone else?"
Kreacher smiled, "Kreacher knows of room. The attic room. No one goes to attic room. No one but Kreacher."
"Well we'll go check it out then if Harry agrees you can start moving some of these pictures up there."
Kreacher practically bounced up the stairs ahead of them.
"Good job Luna. Much better than listening to Harry try to out scream a painting." Hermione complimented her with a hug.
"I'm sure punching it was helping." Lavender snorted.
"I had some frustration to relieve." Harry grumbled as they climbed the stairs.
"I told you I was willing to help Harry." Luna sighed.
"Maybe later." Harry sighed.
Lavender chuckled, "Poor Harry. He has cute girls throwing themselves at him, and a hot sexy girlfriend who lets him catch. What a life."
Harry just grumbled under his breath to the amusement of the girls as they climbed to the attic.
The attic was a low ceiling room with two small windows in it. There were some moldy pieces of dusty furniture, some boxes of things Harry had no idea what they were, a steamer trunk that was marked RMS Olympic. Along with a few other odds and ends of no importance.
"So how about we give this to Kreacher to get the paintings all collected in one spot so they don't spy on us." Hermione suggested.
"It might also improve his loyalty to you Harry. He has probably been beaten so long by his previous masters that any kindness might go a long way to improving him." Luna stated with her wide penetrating stare focus straight on Harry.
Harry remembered how Sirius treated the elf like an afterthought at best and like a pestilent piece of scum to be kicked around. He grimaced before nodding to Luna and Hermione.
"Kreacher." he called out.
"Kreacher comes when master calls. Though only because master wears the ring of the house. Not because he is of the right blood."
"Yes well Kreacher. I think you can have the attic as your den now. Okay?"
Kreacher stopped talking and stared at Harry with his goggle eyes and dark hairless head shivering in confusion. "Kreacher may have entire attic?"
"Yeah. Start moving the pictures, the other elf heads, whatever stuff you hid in your den and move in up here. Okay? And unless I call you to do something, or you need to perform your normal duties for the house, you can stay up here and talk to your friends and the Mistress Black. Is that acceptable?" Harry calmly said.
Kreacher threw himself on Harry's leg, "Yes master. Kreacher is very acceptable to that. Kreacher swears his loyalty to Master. Yes."
"Okay we're going to go down to the kitchen now and stay out of the way." Harry said shooing the others down the ladder.
===xxx===xx
Once in the kitchen Hermione gave Harry a great big kiss and hug followed by Luna doing the same to him.
"That was very good of you Harry."
"Right. Now. I was thinking of hiring Dobby to help out around here too. What do you think about that?" Harry asked sitting down at the dusty table.
"Hiring him right? He will deserve wages." Hermione declared in a firm tone.
"Of course. I don't know what he gets paid at the school but I think I can double it. Or at least negotiate with him. Trying to figure out what motivates him is a bit rough sometimes."
Hermione frowned but agreed, "True. But he does get paid. Kreacher I don't know if there is anything we could do about that and it would be a security risk to let him go."
Luna frowned, "Actually he is probably so bound up in the magics of the family he serves that Harry could not easily give him clothes or sever his service. At his age it would probably kill him instantly."
"Okay well then I guess he'll stay on. Just Dobby will do most of the heavy lifting."
"And how are you going to recruit him?" Lavender asked.
"I dunno. I guess I was going to try and call out for him and see if he shows up, if not maybe see if Kreacher can contact him." Harry shrugged.
"Okay that sounds like a good Idea I guess." Hermione said looking to Luna who merely shrugged.
"Dobby? Can you hear me?"
They waited a moment or two and was just getting ready to tell Harry to call for Kreacher when there was a sudden popping noise followed by a squee of joy, "Dobby is waiting long time for Harry Potter to call for him. Dobby is ready to come and help. What help does Harry Potter needs Dobby to do?"
"Hello Dobby. I was wondering if you would want to work for me?"
"Dobby be Harry Potter's elf? Dobby would jump over the moon with joy to be Harry Potter's elf." And he started dancing a happy excited jig. Hermione was looking at Harry with a suspicious judging expression.
"Dobby, Dobby calm down. I would have to pay you. Hermione says so."
Dobby stopped dancing and frowned. He looked at Hermione with a gimlet expression before suddenly grinning. "Miss Hermione is Harry Potter's mate?"
Harry grinned briefly before nodding, "Yeah she is."
"Then Harry Potter's mate would need elf of her own. Deserving her station as Harry Potter's mate."
Hermione looked like she was getting ready to say something when Luna put her hand on Hermione's arm.
Harry snickered but nodding said, "So what did you have in mind Dobby?"
"Winky sir. Winky needs to be a family elf. Winky not do well at school as Winky still drinks far too much butterbeer."
"But Hermione lives in a muggle home. She can't have an elf there."
"Oh but the Lady Potter can have a elf in muggle home. Elves do not set off trace unless we want to." Dobby earnestly nodded.
Harry's face fell into an annoyed expression as he remembered the flurry of owls that night several years ago. "Oh. That's nice to know." Harry managed to say with a forced smile as he noticed Luna and Hermione were both frowning at him slightly.
"Yes. Dobby will be very happy to work and even take pay for being Harry Potter's elf if Miss Potter agrees to be Winky's mistress"
Hermione leaned forward to say firmly, "Dobby will take money for working for Harry Potter if I take Winky into my employee?"
"Oh please Miss not to say that word to Winky. Winky must not know she is employeed as Winky could not stand it. Winky is a traditional elf." Dobby looked at Hermione with big sad soulful eyes.
"Fine. How much do you get paid right now?"
"Dobby gets paid 1 galleon per month and has to take one day off each month." He glumly said, "And Dobby had to argue to get that little as Dumbledore wanted to be far too generous. Hopefully Harry Potter knows better."
Hermione's mouth worked as her brain had trouble processing that Dobby was arguing to not get paid much.
"Luna a little help here?" Harry asked.
Luna thought for a moment before saying. "To make Hermione Happy Harry will pay you two galleons a month but one of them will be set aside for you to help get Winky over her butterbeer problem. Plus you get two days off so that you and Winky can go do stuff that you want to do. You'll still help out around the school when we are there and Hermione and I will share Winky's help. Will that be enough work Dobby?"
Dobby thought for a moment, "Winky would have two mistresses? Which one would be the main mistress though? Winky is traditional elf Winky can only recognize one Mistress."
Luna took Hermione to the side with a hurried whispered conversation that bordered on a strident debate that lasted for a couple of minutes before they returned to the table with smiles.
"Hermione will be Winky's mistress. I will be one that Winky helps when she is not helping Hermione."
"Winky will be happy to have a mistress again. Dobby will accept Harry potters terms. Uh Dobby being confused though that Miss Luna said the terms for Harry Potter." Dobby said looking at the group carefully.
"Luna is my friend and knows a lot more about how to deal with Elves so that they are given the respect and friendship you deserve." Harry smoothly said. With Luna and Hermione's smiles of approval.
Dobby's grin grew two sizes larger as he danced again, "Harry Potter is smart wizard to have such a brilliant harem of mates. Harry potter must be powerful wizard indeed."
"Uh yeah sure. So we are in agreement?" Harry held out his hand.
Dobby took Harry's hand and shook it. A slight tingle went across Harry's arm before Dobby vanished and a moment later he was back with the bright pink trembling elf Winky.
"Why is Winky brought to this place Dobby?"
"Because Dobby has found Winky a mistress!" He crowed pointing at Hermione.
Winky sniffed then frowned, "This is the human who tried to free elves without asking if even wanted to be free. She would not make a very good mistress."
"She is mate of Harry Potter. So will have powerful children someday. Plus Mistress Potter will share Winky with her sister mate." Dobby explained quickly pointing to Luna.
Winky's pout lessened as she looked at Luna, "Winky knows this one. She is nice to Elves." The little house elf looked at Hermione, "Mistress will not try to pay Winky?"
Dobby shook his head and waved his arms in the universal no signal behind Winky until she spun to glare at him.
Hermione sighed, "No Winky. I will not try to pay you."
"And Mistress will have work for Winky?"
"Yes and if you do not set off the trace or the anti-muggle magical detectors I may even let you do work for my parents too."
Winky considered for a moment before asking her next question, "And there will be children for Winky to take care of?"
Hermione looked a bit apprehensive but nodded, "Yeah at some point. Just not anytime soon. We have some stuff we have to do first."
Winky sighed, "Winky can wait if she is a real elf for a family again. School is good to serve but not as good as a mistress and babies."
"Well you'll get part of that." Hermione said as Winky held her hand out, shaking it Hermione gave a little shiver.
"Winky is mistress' elf now. What does Mistress want Winky to do?"
Looking at the clock and seeing it was only ten o'clock which was too early for lunch she discussed something with Luna then nodded, "Could you take Luna to Diagon Alley and then bring her back when she is done?"
"Yes Mistress that can be easily done."
"Okay. Harry could you give Luna 10 galleons?"
"I didn't think I'd need any money so I left my coin pouch at home."
"If you're going to the clinic just tell mom its for Harry Potter-Black and she'll bill him through Gringotts. Its what a lot of the pure-bloods do." Lavender suggested.
"Oh. Father likes to pay all of his bills at that point or be self sufficient so we do not bill."
"Yeah but it should be okay. Right Harry?" Hermione smiled at Harry.
"Uh yeah. I doubt Luna's going to abuse that."
"Of course not Harry. I do not have expensive tastes. Do you want me to pick up any food for lunch while I am out?"
"Yeah you and Winky figure that out too okay?"
Luna nodded then held her hand out to Winky. "Okay I am ready whenever you are Winky."
"Yes Co-mistress." Winky said then taking Luna's hand vanished with her in a soft pop.
"Dobby is ready to do work now too Harry Potter."
"Okay we need to convert this room into a training hall. Get all the furniture out of the way, but able to be brought out for use again. Training mats for hand to hand, targets for spell casting. Stuff like that?"
Dobby nodded. "If Harry Potter and his ladies will go out of the way Dobby can begin working and making room for great wizard to teach his fellows all his skills again."
"Uh thank you Dobby."
===xxx===xx
Upstairs again they ran into Kreacher in the hall, "Master? Kreacher sensses other elves working in House. Does Master have full staff of elves again?"
"Uh Yes Kreacher. We acquired another couple to help out and tend to tasks. Mistress has one for her needs while you'll take care of the house and grounds."
Kreacher looked like he was surprised, at least that was what Harry thought he looked like, "Kreacher did not think Master had brains enough to do what needed. Kreacher is impressed with master and Master's mate. Does Master want his bedroom prepared for him and his mate?"
"When you get done relocating the paintings and such. Yes that would be good."
"Kreacher will finish the tasks he had been given then clean master's room for him and his mates. Kreacher does as told by Master." He then popped back out.
"I am never going to get used to this you know." Harry sighed as they walked down the hall, "So now what?"
"Well we can either look at the library and work in there or uh. What would you like to do Harry?" Hermione asked her hand lighting on Harry's arm.
"I was thinking about looking at Sirius' room. I doubt anyone has boxed anything up and that should be done at some point."
"I'm here with you if that's what you want." Hermione gently reminded him.
"Yeah. You can come up too Lavender. I know you didn't know him but trust me. The things said about him were not true." Harry pointed out.
Lavender nodded, "I guess. If you say so Harry I'll take your word for it."
===xxx===xx
Standing outside Sirius' room Harry paused trying to control his breathing, Hermione had her hand on his back gently rubbing as he reached out and opened the door.
Entering a room that looked like a strange blend of a magical and muggle teenager's room. He saw the usual sort of pictures of cars and motorcycles, some of each with scantily clad women draped over them in suggestive poses. A few pictures of Sirius and his fellow Marauders, including James and Lily embracing which had to have been a candid one. Peter Pettigrew stood in the back of most pictures, watching a peeking around Lupin and the two ringleaders Sirius and James.
For a Slytherin family this room must have been like a splinter in their eye. Everything was in scarlet and gold with lion heads and rampant lions tucked into various places. The carpet was a deep scarlet with gold threads forming the Gryffindor emblem.
Lavender looked around, "Your godfather must have been quite interesting."
Harry chuckled hollowly, "Yeah he was something else."
Sorting through the papers on the floor and writing desk Harry saw a letter with a soft swoopy, almost feminine character to it. Taking it a picture fell out. A small chubby black haired toddler zooming by on a small broom being chased by James Potter. Harry smiled and showed it to Hermione and Lavender.
"That's cute." Lavender said with a smile.
"You were a cute kid Harry." Hermione agreed.
"This is a letter from my mom. Thanking Sirius for the broom and telling him how much destruction I was causing. I think there's a page or more missing though." Harry said as he looked through the other papers and notes. A small envelope slid out of the stack onto the floor it had his name on it.
Picking it up Harry stared at the thick bold strokes of a quill on the envelope that bore his name in bright scarlet ink even. Like dried blood that had spelled the words on the wall.
Hermione touching him brought him back to the moment, "Harry? Are you okay?"
"Yeah. It has my name on it."
"Sirius was probably writing you a letter when. When he got called away." Hermione carefully said.
"Yeah."
"Do you want to save it for later?"
"No. But. But could you read it to me. I'm not sure." He said holding it out to Hermione.
She nodded and slit open the envelope before pulling out the simple piece of parchment. "Dear Harry, I'm writing this hoping to sort out my thoughts and feelings. Given how dangerous your life is and how complicated my life is I should probably have done this before now but I wanted to tell you how proud I am of how you've turned out. James was my brother, a better brother than my own blood and you would have done him credit."
Harry sniffled a bit but smiled bashfully.
Hermione continued after smiling back at Harry, "I know you've been told so much about James' family because they were the magicals and it seems like that is only what matters to other magicals. A holdover of the blood purity. Your mother's muggle family sadly doesn't have a lot of members left. Petunia is honestly the closest one to you. Lily was really sad that she could never reach out to her sister and get her to accept what happened. How she was still her sister even if she had magic and Petunia didn't. Sometimes some chasms are too far to bridge.
You grandparents on Lily's side died just before you were born. It was a car crash as far as I could find out. Lily and James had had to go into hiding soon after that so she didn't get a lot of time to mourn them or try and sort things out with Petunia so no doubt she blamed Lily for that too and by extension you.
As for David and Meredith Evans he was a mid-manger at the Cokeworth Mills and she was a good wife and mother. At least from everything Lily ever told us. I don't know if Petunia has any pictures of them or not but you'd have to deal with her to find out. When you do let me and Remus know and we'll be there to back you up."
Harry was wringing his hand as he sat in Sirius' chair at his writing desk. Hermione stopped and looked at Harry, "It goes on a bit further. Do you want me to keep going?"
Harry nodded, his eyes wet with unshed tears.
"Being named your godfather was the scariest thing I ever did. I only wish I had been there for you instead of chasing Pettigrew. Lily and James believed in me so much and I failed them, worse I failed you. I hope I can make up for all of that. For you and your brother Neville."
Hermione stopped in surprise as she read that. Harry frowned and blinked several times in confusion.
Hermione held up her and and continued. "James and Lily were friends with Frank and Alice and when they both got pregnant it was funny. James and Frank handled it very differently. Frank was all calm and prepared. Methodical while your dad was flying without a broom. Alice and Lily used to sit and chat about how their sons would grow up brothers and know each other. How you would not get caught up in this war or the blood purity crap.
Unfortunately it seems like Dumbledore hasn't told you yet. He tried to get me not to tell you so of course I'm going to make sure you know. Officially James and Lily were Neville's godparents. Neville was supposed to be your blood brother and ally in all of this. Not Ron Weasley. I'm not sure how they managed to get Dumbledore to let them get so close to things. Guilt over Molly's brothers, Some scheme by Dumbledore? I don't know for sure. All I know is that you're playing in the big leagues now. Hopefully you'll ditch the ginger brigade and stick with the ones who matter and can actually help. Granger has got the brains and I think she would make a good catch. Reminds me a lot of Lily. Watch out for Ginny. She's a creeper not a keeper. Neville's a good choice for your right hand man. Anyone else I'm sure you'll figure it out. Well going to seal this up and have another quiet night in . Take care Harry. Love Sirius."
Harry took the paper back then started crying quietly. Hermione sat with him quietly until he slowed down and stopped. She pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and help dab his face. Holding him to calm him down. Lavender awkwardly started to leave but Hermione shook her head so she stayed with them.
===xxx===xx
The morning at Hogwarts went calm and normal. Dumbledore was involved in a meeting with his professors and madam Pomfrey to go over the new year's plans. Make sure that visits to the muggle-borns were spaced out enough that no one teacher had more than one visit per day.
There were two issues left to resolve, three technically but the one was a yearly tradition so Dumbledore was relieved when it finally came up.
Severus cleared his throat, "Sir. Have you determined who shall be this year's victim of the Defense Position curse?"
"Severus if you know its cursed why is it you ask to take over the position each year?" Minerva asked sharply.
Smirking slightly Snape replied, "Because I like to challenge myself. Proving that there is no curse or if there is one and I remove it would be quite the feather in my cap."
Hagrid grumbled, "Probably cause he's got an in with the one who put it there."
"Professor Snape is not the issue here. And yes Severus I have considered things and will be giving you the chance to teach the class you have been coveting for so long." Snape's almost happy expression caused some murmurs up and down the table before Dumbledore raised his hand for silence and continued, "On the caveat that I manage to convince a certain individual out of retirement to replace you in your potions lab."
"And who might that be?" Snape droned.
"I was hoping to motivate Horace Slughorn to come back for at least one more go around." Albus said with a smile.
Snape's face fell as he heard that, "You are going to attempt to acquire Slughorn?"
"You want to bring Horace out of retirement Albus? For whatever reason?" Minerva crossly asked. "Has quite happily sat in the middle of his web growing fatter and balder with each year's tithes his little fiefdom has brought him."
Snape actually smiled crookedly, "You have to admit he has been the ultimate Slytherin. Allowing others to do the work and face the risk while he reaps the benefits and doesn't have to a lift a single finger. All through convincing those small brained monkeys that they want to do this for him in thanks."
"He is an amoral hedonist." Minerva sniffed.
Snape cleared his throat and drolly looked at Minerva, "And your point is what?" He dryly replied.
Hagrid made a humming noise, "Ah remembah im. He weren't tha bad fer a Slytherin."
"Oh thank you for that ringing endorsement." Snape commented.
"Enough, please. I have made the decision and will begin the attempts. If I have not managed to convince Horace to rejoin us by the first of August you will have to remain potions professor for at least yet another year Severus. I already have a back up choice for defense, Francis Muldoon before you ask Minerva."
Looking around the table at the blank looks Minerva raised her eyebrow, "It would appear he is not very well known."
Albus smiled, "I sincerely doubted he would be. You see he is a retired Auror that Alastair Moody recommended. They served together in special branch."
Snape scowled, "Another over the hill relic whose glory days are far behind him?"
"Perhaps Severus, however just because some of us are over one hill does not mean that we cannot be climbing the next one." Dumbledore gently reminded him. "Plus do recall that the clock waits for no one as time marches impertinently onward no matter that we might wish otherwise."
Snape nodded in defeat, "As you wish sir. My apologies."
"That having been resolved. Poppy what of our Weasley students. Have you heard anything further about if they shall rejoin us?"
Taking a deep breath she shook her head, "Its possible they will return. According to the mind-healers their basic skills are not affected. Just their core personalities and a few minor quirks that they are trying to smooth out."
"Does this mean that Mister Weasley will finally have a work ethic." Snape yawned after saying that. Minerva would have chided him however she was curious about that as well.
"I'm not sure about that. Of course, as you know, details of their illness and treatment are not open for discussion. So I cannot tell you what their personalities will be like, only that it is highly likely they will rejoin us."
"Well that will be good to know. I'll make sure the elves in charge of Gryffindor Tower are aware of that."
"Very well. Then unless there is any further business let us see what sort of lunch has been prepared today."
===xxx===xx
Dobby announced that Luna and Winky had returned with some baskets and bags. "Hello Harry. I am protected now so you can debauch me at your leisure." she cheerfully declared setting the bowls and bottles on the table in the dining room.
Harry laughed before giving her a hug from behind, "Yeah sure Luna, maybe later though. Food first."
"Very well. I hope you don't mind but I got us plomeek soup and some finger sandwiches. If you don't like the soup there is eggplant Parmesan." She said setting some covered plates out.
"Uh should I even ask what plomeek is?" Hermione said sniffing the brightly greenish brown soup.
"It is a goblin soup made from several fungi, vegetables and spices. I suppose it has a rather piquant garlic flavor with hints of cinnamon." Luna explained.
"You eat a lot of goblin foods Luna." Harry observed tasting his soup and shrugging, "Not that its a bad thing but how come?"
"Father is a friend of the goblins due to some positive articles he has published in the Quibbler and standing up for them in the Wizengamut. So I have been exposed to at least the edges of their culture. Also I like to try many new things and if I like them I integrate them into my life." Luna began to eat her soup with a satisfied smile.
"Oh you brought Lucille's lemon seltzers. Thanks Luna I love these things." Lavender said grabbing one of the bottles and her lunch setting.
"You're welcome Lavender." Luna sighed softly.
"Okay after lunch we'll get back to work. See how things with Dobby are going and and then work on anything else we can do."
Lavender started to speak up then stopped herself.
"What is it Lavender?" Harry pointed at her with his spoon. "You can speak up if you have something to say."
"Well Harry, I know its your house and all but its so dark and drab in here. Maybe we could do some redecorating while we're at it."
Luna nodded, "I have to agree. The feng shui of this house could use a real alteration."
Harry looked at Hermione who shrugged, "Okay I'll put you two in charge of that with the following restrictions. Nothing too outrageous or strange. This floor and the first floor are the only ones you do and the library is left alone."
"Otherwise we can have a free hand?" Lavender asked hopefully while Luna grinned at him.
"Yes fine. Hermione and I will be working on getting the training room set up and fine tuned. I want to start serious training sessions soon."
"Fine with us. I think we can handle that eh Luna?"
"Certainly."
===xxx===xx(Review Responses)
desireejones99: McDuffs is a lawyer friendly version of the golden arches. Yeah I got the names confused in my head. I have not exactly been operating on all cylinders for the last several weeks. Little mistakes have been slipping in on a lot of things. I'll have to get around to fixing that at some point.
Dennisud: Oh yeah Luna is in the mix on this one. We'll get to the weapons and hand to hand soon. Luna and terry are going to get along smashingly.
IdlemanRPG: lol. Sorry this time around Luna stays petite and slender. Maybe another time. I saved your review ideas to a text file and will write them in my notebook (That Lady Rah so graciously saved from terminal flaming) when I recopy it to a new one as the pages are falling out of this one now.
Manwe Illuvitarian: Thank you. This story is going to lean a bit towards the naughty with serious points indeed.
OfficerDonNZ: I know. Remus is this quiet straight laced chap who has to be dragged to a party and then usually stands in the corner with a drink while everyone around him has fun. So when he shows up at one of his student's homes. A student which he is trying not to notice has filled out nicely, has her mother show up, a woman which he remembers what she looks like with a lot less clothing on awkwardness ensues.
As for Hermione's extended family I wanted someone to have a normal family life. Or at least as normal as one could get in comparison to every other character in the Potterverse. I mean every last character has either had a parent or both parents get killed (Luna, Harry, Susan), tortured to near killed (Neville) , is living in arkham asylum (The Weasleys) or otherwise somehow in a home that CPS would work to rebuild the gallows for (Draco, harry) and that's not counting the adults with their messed up personal lives. So she gets to have uncles who are loyal to their family, and not phased by her specialness. Paul meets so many strange people working at his club that the wizarding world is probably actually kinda boring and her oldest uncle is in the military so he has probably seen a few things. But yeah. I like family. Family is good.
Soliel Sidus: Then hope no more. The Luna has landed firmly with this and the next chapter.
Jadesabrexiv: Oh yeah most of the Weasleys are not going to be happy when they get out of the hospital. I like those ideas. Not entirely wwhat I was thinking but they are good still too. As for Bill and Charlie I'm not sure how I'm going to portray them in this either at the moment.
