The sun had begun to rise in the pale grey sky, casting a few of its rays through the window of number 4 Privet Drive. Inside a small bedroom on the second floor lay Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. Harry was asleep, bare-chested lying across the foot of his bed with his sheets a tangled mess below him. His room was curiously devoid of objects a normal teenage boy would have about. The walls were bare save one. This wall was covered by a stretch of numerous newspaper clippings with sections highlighted. Most of these were accompanied by black & white photos, the occupants of which were continually moving about.
In the bottom right corner was a collage of tiny excerpts from the Daily Prophet.
The first bearing the headline:
Ministry worker murdered . . .
Eric Munch, Ministry of Magic Watchwizard was found dead earlier this morning in the backyard of his Sussex home. The scene was an unsettling one as it seems there was no sign of a struggle. Yet the dark mark was found above the dwelling. Munch was discovered by his younger brother Frank, a muggle policeman.
An auror was later quoted that "We believe Eric was targeted because he was muggleborn as well for being a Ministry worker."
If that is to be believed, it seems the reason behind this heinous act was simply a show of power by he-who-must-not-be-named.
The next one bore the headline:
Senseless killings continue
Just this past week alone three wizards were killed by you know who's followers in London. The incidents took place in plain view of muggles requiring mass obbliviation by the Magical Law Enforcement squad. The wizards Elphius Dodge and Sturgis Podmore were ambushed by several of the Death Eaters yet refused to go down without a fight. Although both were killed, they fought like heroes and managed to capture three of the assailants before they were taken down in flashes of green light just as aurors arrived on the scene. The three Death Eaters are currently in Ministry custody. Minister Scrimgeour has posthumously awarded both wizards with Order of Merlin's first class presented ceremoniously to their next of kin. The second took place just outside the Leaky Cauldron yesterday morning. Dedalus Diggle was hit with the killing curse as he left the establishment. The originator of the curse was not identified but I believe we can assume it was a Death Eater attack.
And the last one read:
Hogwarts suffers another loss
Following the demise of Albus Dumbledore, it was decided that the reopening of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry would be carefully deliberated over the summer months by the school Governors and staff. Last night the dark mark was seen over a small wooded area in the south of Scotland, Aurors were called in immediately. They discovered the body of Hogwarts substitute Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-PLank. It was rumored that Headmistress McGonagall had recently contacted Grubbly-Plank to take up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
(For more on Hogwarts turn to page 14)
Harry's alarm went off at precisely half-past six, causing the young man to wake up with a jerk that left him and his sheets in a pile on the bedroom floor. Harry stood, crossed the room turned off his alarm, and headed for the upstairs bathroom. After entering the shower it finally dawned on Harry that this was his last day stuck on Privet Drive. He'd be leaving this wretched place for the final time later on tonight. Harry went and joined the Dursleys for his final breakfast with them. As was the norm at the Dursley household the morning was spent ignoring Harry as if he didn't exist. After clearing his breakfast of toast and grapefruit Harry returned to his room to begin packing his belongings. This took a surprisingly short amount of time considering he was not allowed to do magic as of yet. He had just closed his trunk when two quick whip like cracks announced that someone had just apparated on the outside of Harry's open door.
With seeker born reflexes Harry had spun around and drawn his wand in time to see a tower of knitted hats before being knocked to the floor with a house elf about his middle.
'Hello Dobby nice of you to drop in,' said Harry as he righted himself whilst the elf let him go.
'Harry Potter sir, Dobby is happy to see you!' the elf exclaimed excitedly.
'And to what do I owe this pleasure Dobby?'
The elf's face sank and he clearly became slightly nervous.
'Harry Potter sir, Winky and I have come to serve the noble house of Potter.'
It was only then that Harry noticed the elf standing in his doorway nervously wringing her skirt with her hands.
'Dobby what do you mean serve?' Harry questioned
'Well Harry Potter sir, Winky and I is free elves since Dumbledore is no longer at Hogwarts we is out of work.'
'But surely Professor Mcgonagal would allow you to stay,' Harry couldn't see Mcgonagal telling them to leave Hogwarts.
'Of course master Harry Potter sir, but it isn't up to Headmistress Mcgonagal as to whether Hogwarts remains open. So we is having to leave and Dobby was wanting to make sure Harry Potter is safe and Winky was wanting to find a proper master so Dobby figured why not serve the great Harry potter,' the elf finished proudly.
'But-'
'Please Master Harry Potter sir, Winky is to be a good house elf and keep her masters secrets and take care of her new master, 'begged Winky.
'Dobby is too, Master Harry Potter sir.'
'But I thought you liked being free Dobby?' asked Harry.
'I does sir, but it would be such an honor. Dobby would gladly give his life to Harry Potter for he is a great and good wizard.'
Winky had entered the room now and kneeled in front of Harry, Dobby kneeled next to her.
'I Winky do surrender my freedom and life to Harry Potter, I'll be forever obedient, loyal and keep the secrets of all those with the Surname Potter till my body passes from this world.'
Harry had taken hold of Winky's shoulder when he felt heat run from his fingers into his chest sealing the magic.
'What was that, it felt as if my arm was on fire?' asked Harry.
'Winky is now bound to serve you Master Potter,' said Winky as she rose to her feet.
Dobby spoke next.
'I Dobby do surrender my freedom and life to Harry Potter, I'll be forever obedient, loyal and keep the secrets of all those with the Surname Potter till my body passes from this world.' Harry did nothing this time he stood motionless in front of Dobby.
'Please Master Potter touch Dobby and it will be done,' implored Winky. For the second time Harry's arm felt as if it was on fire and though he didn't want to; Harry now owned three house elves.
Sighing Harry sat down on his bed, he couldn't believe he was duped by two elves, he had no idea that Winky was binding herself to him he was just trying to help her up.
'Well I s'pose I own you two now. I guess I'll have to lay a few ground rules shall I? First under no circumstance is either of you to punish yourselves for any reason. Second I will not continue to allow any more of this master nonsense. You will kindly address me as Harry. Third you will put your own well being before mine if you are tired you will sleep, if you are hungry you will eat. Lastly if I am ever being unfair, you will not hesitate to insult me, I don't care call me a barmy old codger if you'd like. Is that understood?' both elves nodded.
'Good now if you'll follow me, I'm going to say goodbye to the Dursleys it's time to leave.'
Harry took the stairs two at a time and entered the kitchen to find the Dursleys sitting down to lunch. He cleared his throat,
'Er I just wanted to say goodbye and thanks for keeping me all these years,' Harry said somewhat lamely. There was a few seconds silence before Harry's Aunt Petunia spoke.
'Where will you go?'
'To my friend Ron's house, for now at least.'
'O' goodbye then,' she said evenly
Harry turned around just as Dudley's soup dribbled out of his still gaping mouth. Chuckling slightly Harry headed to his room and got as far as the front steps before his uncle grabbed his shoulder and twisted him around so he was face to face with his walrus-like moustache.
'So you're serious then, this will be the last time we'll see you?' questioned Vernon.
'Er yeah' answered Harry.
'No more ruddy owls, no more flying cars? Asked Vernon his eyes popping with the hope that this was true.
'Yup'. Harry said
'And you expect me to just let you walk out of here without paying me back for everything I've done for you?' Vernon asked his face a dark shade of crimson.
'Like what?' asked Harry his voice louder then he had intended.
'Why you insolent little- I've fed you, clothed you, housed you-
'Yeah and all those years of being your slave isn't payment enough?' Harry was shouting now.
Vernon was controlling himself as much as possible so when he again spoke it was through gritted teeth.
'We treated you far better than you would have been in an orphanage and I think 10,000 quid ought to be a fair exchange for fifteen years.'
'You're delusional, 10,000 pounds, goodbye uncle Vernon.' Harry spun around and tried to walk away from the man when he was shoved into the door.
'Delusional am I you little freak?' Vernon spat.
Harry could feel his uncles hot breath on his neck and was spared having to retort when the man holding him was sent flying into the sitting room. Harry gasped for air holding his chest while his uncle stirred. Harry hadn't felt as if he performed accidental magic.
'You shall not harm Harry Potter,' squeaked Dobby.
As Harry gained some composure back, he saw his Aunt shocked and standing stock still in the entryway to the sitting room. Dudley however was standing against the hallway wall his hands firmly grasping his bottom as if in fear that it would fall off.
'Winky please gather my belongings and take them to number 12 Grimauld Place, Dobby I have an idea,' Harry said, a wide smile on his face.
It was with the best feeling he'd ever had at the Dursleys as he left and shut the door to number 4 Privet Drive but not before reminding his aunt to have a catflap installed on the cupboard so as to make sure her husband was as well fed as he had been during the years he called that cupboard home.
