Chapter 15 – After The Meeting
A/N: Hey guys, I've been on a short hiatus for the past month as you know since I've been missing, things have been hard, but I think I'm okay now so hope you enjoy the story still.
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns HP.
Harry POV:
'Damn, how long does this day keep going?' I thought to myself, standing up from the meeting table. 'Were they all waiting for me to do that?' I asked, as everyone followed my suit and stood, concluding the meeting in full. Shaking my head in disbelief, I watched as Hermione spoke to Daphne while her parents talked to my account manager, meanwhile, Ragnok was watching me, waiting. My eyes caught his before they flickered over to Daphne, before resettling on mine again, so I thought he wanted me to speak to her. I smirked with my occlumency shields up but looked back at Ragnok with a puzzled expression and shook my head, as if I had no clue what he wanted. I let my shields down and my smirk become seen as a sigh was heard from across the room, coming from the Chief, his eyes met mine and saw the smirk realising I was playing before he watched me move over to my two fiancées.
"He isn't that difficult to deal with, he just sometimes does the most unexpected things lik-" I overheard Hermione saying to Daphne as I came up behind them, I sighed of course, for two reasons; one, to be respectful of their private conversation by letting them know I was there and most importantly two, they were talking about me, their soon-to-be husband.
"Harry! We were just…" Hermione began only to fall short of a reasonable explanation, her eyes shone while her cheeks blushed, likewise with Daphne, who after turning round and 'checked me out' blushed a little deeper than Hermione. 'Ah, so they were talking dirty, good to know.' I thought as I moved closer to them. Reaching out I tucked a strand of hair behind Daphne's ear, the skin-to-skin contact sending tingles into my fingers as I slowly caressed her cheek like I had with her hand.
Daphne stood tall, defiant, and proud as she stared me in the eyes while my hand remained on her face. Her eyes telling me she wasn't going to just submit to me like a good little witch, but that she would fight me at every corner if I wasn't careful how I approached her, like maybe right now, had I thrown her expectations away and made her as she is now, shocked? Or was she just letting me touch her face because she wanted me to?
I hadn't forgotten about Hermione though, as she stood and watched me touch Daphne, I saw her move her legs closer together while the air around us was slowly getting thicker. I smirked as I let go of Daphne and moved Hermione closer to us, my hand resting on her waist as my eyes latched onto hers, I smiled at her, showing I wasn't mad at all.
"Really Hermione, I understand that you guys are going to talk about me, its natural and this is a weird situation, its only going to get easier if we all talk about things. I'm just glad you chose not to lie about it." I told her before looking to Daphne, who watched me curiously as I interacted with Hermione. I gave a little forehead kiss to Hermione and moved to hold Daphne's hand while I had an idea.
"I actually wanted to ask you girls for a little favour, I thought it might help you adjust to being around me Daphne, so if you're willing…" I began asking them as I moved my eyes to address them both. "There's this owl problem going on where two of the breeders are having problems with their specific breeds. I thought I'd check it out myself but like I said, I thought it would help us three bonds if we did it together and with you two, the smartest witches of the generation, it should be done in no time. How bout it?" I looked between the two.
"How? What type of breeding problem? When did it begin?" Rounded of Hermione, already going into a research mode to think of the logical and problematic ways the owls could be suffering to find something to help, I guessed. Daphne watched her for a moment, a soft smile on her lips as she shook her head slightly. It was cute and for a second I forgot that she was already close to Hermione like I was, a hidden friendship throughout years at Hogwarts, but right now I just thought of how cute she looked with that little smile. Then she turned back to me.
"You had me at owl problem, I'm in." She replied, the smile still held on her face as she looked at me before moving away with Hermione to plan. Those owls were going to be safe within days, I already knew it. There was something about the two of them, a fire that drove them to find a solution to a problem, fix what they could instead of letting it get worse or destroying the problem. If the magical world needed anyone, it shouldn't be me, it was them.
After another hour had pasted, which I had spent with Pollux and Ragnok, going over the details of the day and my plans for entering the Wizengamot and Dumbledore, Pollux agreed to do what he could to secure the votes of the people he could trust in the neutral and dark sides of the political families. I decided it was time to leave Gringotts, after all, spending that long underground reminded me a little of being inside that cupboard, under the stairs, and that was something I definitely didn't want to think about or feel. Besides, I had to make sure Hermione got home safe, since Malfoy may have already reported what had happened in the Will Reading.
Saying a quick goodbye to my now future-in-laws, I headed over to Daphne again, my eyes meeting hers and for a second my Occlumency shields felt broken, shattered, and ripped apart as her eyes searched through mine, before she smiled, and my mind felt natural again.
"Was that what I think it was, Daphne?" I asked, my smile reflecting in her eyes while she smirked at me and nodded. I grasped her hand as I moved closer to her, when my lips were close enough to her ear, I whispered things that I shouldn't really repeat. Her hand clasped down on mine as I continued, a small gasp emanated from her as I continued becoming more vivid as her shock rose. Eventually I smirked before pulling back from her ear, as I felt someone watching us with my Occlumency. A soft grunt in the background and I recognised her father, Pollux, was the one watching us, clearly waiting for me to let Daphne go home.
"Before you go, Daphne… I, I just want you to know you're worth so much more than just a contract to me Daphne. This, this isn't just a play for power or something, this could become so much more than either of us could expect, and I, I hope you know I won't ever make you feel less than loved. I'll contact you tonight, be safe Daph." I told her before she left my side, holding onto her waist as I held my eye contact with her. She looked surprised for a moment before she lightly smiled and squeezed my arm. I let her go and watched her leave with her mother and father, feeling my heart clench for a moment before I smiled over to Hermione, who watched from the table, along with Ragnok.
"See… I told you it would go smoothly." Hermione stated, pleased she was right that the meeting wouldn't end in bloodshed, while leaning into my side. I wrapped an arm around her as I let out a laugh and looked over to Ragnok.
"Smoothly? Could have went a touch better if Pollux didn't try and swindle me darling. Ha, at least he had the guts to try. Ragnok can you send a message to Bloodfang? I have two owl contracts causing problems regarding gold if that can be dealt with, one refuses delivery after payment and another wishes for a raise." I played softly with Hermione's hair as I asked for the small favour, Hermione moved to rest her head against my chest as she listened while waiting for the conversation to end.
"Yes, easily done, they should have their issues dealt with before the day is out. The Malfoy and Greengrass payments should have began processing by now, I believe you just had a significant increase in gold recently, congratulations Hadrian." Ragnok replied as he rose from his chair at the top of the table, his eyes watching the two of us before turning away to send the message to Bloodfang. "You two really are meant for each other, Hadrian. Like your father and grandfather, you have found a bond that will last, that I can see already. Is there anything else you need from us?"
"Well, now that I think about it… The Malfoy House will be losing everything right? From the ingredient farms to the potion laboratories and their employee's, right?" I asked Ragnok, waiting for him to confirm before I continued.
"They will be forced to sell the properties in order to pay the debt to you Hadrian, most likely to the Death Eaters in order to remain in control of them however, but they know they will have to pay the debt, or I will become involved and eventually the Ministry if need be. The sale of the farms and stores the Malfoy's own should cover the rest of the debt, if the right price is agreed on for them." Ragnok expressed.
"We can't have that happen, now can we? Offer half the asking price Malfoy should be wanting for everything, if he disagrees let him find someone else but if he is stupid enough to agree, give everything but one of the rarer plants from each farm to the Greengrass House, the specific plants can go to House Longbottom's personal greenhouse. Without his parents, Malfoy will be stupid enough to think this the best he can do, and I doubt his dark lord would intervene for a few magical farms. Perhaps Pollux will be gunning to buy the farms anyways since he knows the Malfoy debt has been called in. If Malfoy accepts, offer the jobs to the employees as long as they aren't loyal to the dark or Malfoy then give them a raise. Let them know I'm in a nice mood." I finished, letting Ragnok send the orders to his goblins before saying goodbye as I moved to the doors with Hermione.
I didn't wait long after leaving the bank to apparate with Hermione back to her place. Her wards felt strong as I felt the magic behind them, goblin and house-elf that replaced the weak and useless wards left from Dumbledore. I knew Hermione was checking them out herself and watched as she turned to me in astonishment as I placed some of my own wards up too, making her parent's house a little fortified castle against magic. I laughed at her expression and before she could ask how I could know ward magic like this, I wrapped her in a hug.
As she pulled away from me, I heard the door open behind her with a soft voice calling out for her, I guessed it was her mother and knew I was right when Hermione called back, she wouldn't be long before turning back to me. I took the moment to tease her, asking her why her fiancé can't come inside and when should we tell her parent's we were going to get married. She blushed and laughed at my antics before burying her face into my chest with a groan that she was going to have to tell them. Holding her by the waist I carried her closer to the door as she asked me what I what I was doing and started to protest, I responded with a soft squeeze before putting her down and saying now was a better time than any to tell them.
Hermione's eyes widened as she registered what I was saying that I wanted to come in and tell her parents we were going to get married, right now. I could have laughed at her face, but I knew she was freaking out at my plan to do that, I mean I understood, any muggle would freak out if their daughter came home and said she was marrying the dude outside that you've never actually met before. I smirked and felt her feel a little bit less tense, before I told her now was the best time because why wait to tell them when we would be getting married quite soon anyways, either way it would be a shock to them. She smirked with me in agreement, either way this would be a shock to them and began to tell me something, all before the door opened and a nude man appeared half behind the doorway…
Now when I said this was going to be a shock either way, I thought I meant her parents would be shocked not including me, but it seems I was supposed to be too, as I came face to face with a man slightly taller than me with the same brown hair as Hermione's and an average build. That's as far as I can go with description seeing as I instantly assumed this man must be Hermione's father, otherwise what was he doing in Hermione's house? Naked?
"Daddy!" Hermione snapped as she came out of her shock, proving my right as she caused her father to jump out of his shock and move further behind the door before calling out a sorry and retreating out of view. I snapped the shock out of my face as Hermione turned to me and blushed deeper than I think I've ever seen before.
"I'm so sorry, Harry. Let me explain, oh what you must think!" Hermione exclaimed as she started to rattle of an explanation about what just happened, beginning with how I just met her father. Before she could go any further though I stopped her as my mind clicked together some of the pieces over the past few years.
"Slow down Hermione, I understand, or at least I think I do." I told her as she looked at me in confusion, before moving me beyond her front door and into the passageway.
"Not to assume anything of course but it makes sense now why you didn't want me to visit during the summer, your family are nudists right? I don't mind, honestly Hermione, at the end of the day what they do is their own business, and it doesn't harm anyone. Its either that or your dad forgot to put on anything before work, I doubt a dentist forgot his pants now but either way I won't judge." I told Hermione slowly, watching as she nodded at my assumption and sighed as I said I won't judge. Her smirk at my joke showed me that she wasn't worried now, and I knew she would be happy I could meet her parents after knowing her for so long.
"Yeah, their nudists. Which makes it all the harder to introduce them to my friends like you when their either working, travelling, or walking round the house nude. I've wanted you to meet them for years, but we never had the right time, guess you were right about now being the best time huh?" She asked me as I absorbed the information, who would have known bookish Hermione came from nudist dentists?
"Like I said, I don't mind. I wish I had met them years ago but now is better than never. At least the Rat never got the chance, could you imagine him reacting to this? In fact, save yourself the trouble. So… does this mean you are one too? Or did you never take to the idea?" My eyes held Hermione's, seeing her roll them at the mention of the Rat and sparkle with a hint of worry as I asked her if she was a nudist as well. My thoughts were racing with the idea that she was, how she could perhaps roam around our own house and become a little tempting menace with every glace I got of her. Damn my thoughts were powerful.
"Well Harry, you're going to have to find out, aren't you?" She teased me as she gave me a little kiss on the corner of my mouth before pushing me away and leading me to the sitting room, where her two parents sat, clothed this time with two blue silk gowns.
"Harry, this is Jean and Ian Granger, my Mam and Dad. Mam, Dad, this is Harry, my best friend from school. Dad, Harry knows and understands, he really isn't bothered by any of it." Hermione explained as she jumped into introductions, which I was grateful for apart from the awaiting bomb-drop that I wasn't just her best friend. I smiled as I shook Jean's hand while Hermione spoke to her father about the earlier incident, her father – Ian, watched her before looking to me. I nodded my head and offered my hand to shake and I think accepting their lifestyle was all that I needed to do to be accepted into the Granger household so to say, Ian grasped my hand and shook it like I was a lost, old friend back from a trip away. I wasn't sure how long that would last of course, after the news me and Hermione had yet to give them.
"Harry, how good to finally meet you, we've heard so much through the years from Hermione. I hope the summer hasn't been too hard to cope through dear, we thought you may want some time to cope alone after Hermione told us about the Ministry and your Godfather, we're so sorry…" Jean began chatting with me, I felt Hermione tense up next to me and knew she was hoping I was okay with telling them what happened.
"Thank you, Mrs. Granger. The summer has been eye-opening to say the least about the most important things I still have left in my life, like Hermione. We actually have some news, but I believe it's best to tell you everything before that, so you aren't too shocked." I stated, Hermione felt even more stiff as I continued, knowing that now her parents would be curious.
"Dr. Granger, Harry. Hermione, what does he mean news? You aren't…" Ian asked, getting straight to the point. 'Told you that acceptance wouldn't last long.' I told myself as I knew his mind was already jumping with the thought his daughter may be pregnant.
'Can you really blame him though? What guy doesn't believe that exactly, when his daughter comes home with a guy you've never seen before and says she has news that needs explaining first?' I thought as I watched Hermione's dad look between me and her and start curling his hands into fists.
"No! No, I'm not Dad! I'm not pregnant me and Harry haven't done anything like that. Breathe." Hermione rushed to explain, as her father stood up while her mother watched me from where she sat. I knew from the look in her eyes it was my turn to explain what was really going on.
"In the best watered-down version of events that's relevant, basically: I've been drugged for years by everyone other than Hermione, in order for someone else to inherit everything I have in the magical world like money and titles. Because I'm not drugged anymore, I have retaken my titles and as such the responsibilities with them, like having a wife and children to pass the title too. I've loved Hermione for a long time but thought she never felt the same for me, but now we both know how we feel and even though we're young we understand how we feel and what responsibilities I have. So, all in all, me and Hermione love each other, and I would like to ask your permission to marry her-" That was as far as I got before Ian, who I forgot to mention was at least 6'2 since he was a little taller than me, leapt up and landed a solid left hook right on my cheek.
My pride was proud to announce I remained standing, but damn my cheek was in agony. Let me tell you right now, Ian Granger had a mean left hook if he was coming to punch you. 'Fuck me that hurt.' I thought as my vision cleared a bit from being blurred. Hermione jumped up as she pushed her father away and Jean grabbed him by his shirt and dragged him back to the other side of the room, while Hermione checked on my cheek.
"Don't even say it Hermione, it's okay. Really, what father wouldn't hit me after I walk in and ask for his daughters hand." I chuckled, seeing Hermione open her mouth with that cute worrying look on her face. Since I wouldn't let her apologise, she did the next best thing she could think of, rounding onto her father.
"Are you joking me? You didn't have to hit him Dad! Can't you act civil or at the very least throw words instead of punches! What if you have ruined his molars, or damaged his gums or god forbid break his lateral incisor dad? Think about that!" Hermione rushed out, fuming with her own father. I have to say, this whole this was weirdly kinky, I mean watching Hermione defend me using dentistry after being hit by her father after asking for permission to marry her was kinda hot. You can't judge me; I've just got hit by a wicked punch.
Well, after that everything seemed to go smoother, as Hermione would have put it. Ian apologised since his daughter reminded him of the potential damage to my teeth and after a quick look over from Jean, we sat back down to talk over everything I had said. My teeth were fine by the way. An hour pasted before we finally finished going over everything, and I mean everything since I had learned of Dumbledore and his idiotic plans with me. Jean was beyond rage as she paced around the room, and that was before I told her that Hermione had been influenced. She actually handled the news quite well, considering it was just a vase that now lay shattered against the wall opposite her. Ian of course reacted similarly, with the mug he was holding, thankfully it wasn't aimed at me though. Hermione soon calmed them down and told them the rest, such as I needed a Lady and heirs for the titles to continue. Of course, with that, came the fear that Hermione could end up in danger, being the wife to the man that was being hunted by the worst dark wizards in a few centuries could cause that. I opened my mouth to respond but was beat to the point by my darling fiancée.
"Mother! Don't you think Harry's protected me all these years I've been with him already? I've been in danger since the first year I met him, he's always done everything he could to protect me or even save me when I've needed to be. I choose the danger because I choose him, Mam. He's everything to me after all these years. I know he can and will protect me because he has, even now the first thing he did when he came here was put up better wards than I've ever seen." Hermione told them both, my heart did a little flutter as she spoke her words, I watched her finish before grabbing her hand. Her parents both looked to each other, knowing Hermione had made her choice no matter what they said, I just wanted their blessing because I knew how much it would mean to Hermione.
"Mrs. Granger I know what it sounds like, two teenagers swearing they're in love when they haven't lived long enough to know more than how we feel now. But the truth is, Hermione has always been with me, and I can't or don't want to ever imagine she's not with me. For a moment, when I knew how I was drugged and betrayed, I was terrified. Not because it had happened to me, see, but because for a second I thought Hermione had chosen them. That she would leave me and manipulate me like I meant nothing to her, because she means that much to me." I told her mam, the tears brimming in her eyes as I continued. Hermione looked at me and I felt her body tremble a touch as her eyes leaked a tear. I smiled at her before I continued.
"But she chooses me. Even after all these years and the danger, knowing that I have to fight the man who's been trying to kill me for so long. She still chooses me. And I choose her." I finished. 'Simple as that.' I thought.
A few minutes later I was getting a hug from Jean as she welcomed me into the family, their blessing upon us, when Hermione revealed the last part of the news, that I needed two wives, and technically had a sex slave. Right in the middle of my hug, with her mother… Awesome.
To give a straightforward answer as to what happened, I can only provide this: Jean, froze in my arms, as did basically the room around us while the tension built, before she leaned back and looked me dead in the eye, she didn't even hesitate to swing at me with her left, just like her husband. Fuck me, right? Ian, on the other hand, actually laughed after that. Apparently, he saw the humour in the situation after Jean had severely damaged my gums. Of course, Hermione calmed her mother down, while Ian had to look at my gums still chuckling and muttering about, 'wizard's luck, ha!' I decided I had indeed got off lucky.
Soon after, we sat down and talked about it more, going over how I was arranged in several marriage contracts, created to keep separate magical bloodlines, to which the Grangers decided it made sense though seemed barbaric, and that's when it clicked. What clicked you might ask? Just how much Hermione was like her parents, from the book loving and specific word choices, to the wicked left hook throwing and nudism. 'Now it makes sense,' I thought as I remembered back to third year when she decked Malfoy. Straight up tactic she learned from Ian, (Nah, Jean for sure.) I caught her looking at me from the side of my vision and gave her a little smirk as she guessed what I was thinking about.
"It is quite barbaric, Mrs. Granger. Don't you think so Hermione?" I asked her, my eyes gleaming as I turned to her to see her softly smirking back at me. She knew exactly what I was on about. She shook her head at me before agreeing with her mother, telling Jean the reason it was barbaric was more than just arranged marriages. It was arranged marriages for titles, marriages that interconnected the bloodlines instead of separating them. Hermione had done her research already. The contracts allowed bloodlines to merge from already connected families, meaning many of the families were interbreeding and still trying to keep the blood of their House separate from other houses. Realistically many of the Houses had a claim to the other Houses through these marriages, just like Malfoy had tried with the Black House, it was only the more direct descendants that stop the Houses from merging together already.
"Well how are can the bloodlines be cleaned if they keep interbreeding with their own family members, distant as they are? And don't worry Harry dear, it's just Jean and he can be Ian." Jean asked Hermione before telling me while pointing over to Ian, who had a freshly brewed cuppa hallway into his mouth. He choked for a second, before looking to me after Jean and nodding. Hermione didn't look to bothered by the milestone I had managed to make with both her parents already, first name basis and acceptance to marry their daughter! Tell me who else could do that? Hermione's mind was already whirling thinking off the question her mother had asked.
"Realistically they can't be, I mean how can they when they believe their blood supremacy means more to them than an integrated bloodline. And even if they did care they would have to open up their genetic pool for several generations, widening the pool until it wasn't overlapping with the several other families, they are intwined with…" Hermione continued on, in her own thoughts as me, Jean and Ian looked at each other knowing Hermione would need a minute to figure it out.
"In English, sweetheart?" Jean asked her daughter.
"It's possible with loads of different factors. Basically, a lot of wizard families would have to realise the pure-blood agenda is making them worse with each generation. They would have to accept opening their bloodlines to new sources. Who else is there but muggleborns? Even half-blood's wouldn't fit the criteria anymore, their too interconnected now as well. Without new-blood and for each different generation, the old families will die out. Maybe taking their familiar magics with them." Hermione finished. It was kinda morbid, but who was I too judge?
"Well, there's nothing to be done about it for now. The only way pure blood would listen to that is if their Dark Lord told them it. We can try after we finish the war with him." I told Hermione, and not ten seconds later the conversation shifted. To what it shifted too had me confused, I mean how could the Grangers go from listening to arranged marriages and interbred bloodlines, to then go to this?
"So, Harry how do you feel exactly on Nudism?" Ian asked me. I saw the glint in his eyes, he waited exactly for me to take a sip of tea just like Jean had on him a moment ago, very funny indeed. He fired a few more questions at me, like if I had ever heard of it before or perhaps tried it.
"Well Ian, I've never been against it, but I've never tried it. Though I feel I could be open enough to try it one day if everyone felt comfortable. Do you think you and Daphne would be willing to try it, Hermione?" I asked, watching Ian as he realised that I would have two women around me, naked constantly if they were both comfortable with the lifestyle. I don't know if he was mad or impressed. Bit of both probably.
"She might Harry if there was a good enough reason to begin trying the lifestyle. She isn't going to just walk around freely after being raised in a proper manner she will have to become a Lady of a Most Noble and Ancient House. How do you think your ancestors would react to you walking round nude in your ancestral home?" Hermione told me. Her parents watching this go on, wondering if we were serious to perhaps try it out or really joking with them. Her question hit me for a moment though, how I could have forgotten about my ancestor's homes. Both the Potter and Black mansions had yet to see their new Lord or Ladies, the thought disturbed me like I had something to do urgently. I knew something was wrong so I decided it couldn't wait. Standing up I saw Hermione look at me with questions in her eyes, just like Jean had while Ian waited for my next action.
"I haven't even thought about seeing them yet; something feels off when I think about them now though. Like somethings waiting for me there, I need to go. Winky!" I shouted, forgetting about Ian and Jean as my house elf appeared. Of course, the goblins had keyed in me and my elves into Hermione's house in case of emergencies. Hermione's mam and dad, however, took it as a threat and nearly started swinging those dangerous left hooks if I hadn't stepped in front of Winky, while Hermione stopped them. After a second they realised it was okay and I introduced them. Winky soon won over Ian when she asked if he needed a biscuit with his cup of tea.
"Winky I need to go The Potter House, anyone fancy coming with me?" I asked Hermione and her parents. They looked a little awry but the curiosity caught them and they nodded. Though it was risky, it may be a good bonding experience with my new in-laws, besides I already told Winky to take them first if we needed to escape. Hermione held my hand as I held Winky's, meanwhile Jean held her other hand and Ian grabbed Jean's. Within a second, our little hand train popped out of Hermione's sitting room and onto the front yard of a huge house. My house.
Now I'm not gonna lie, I overheard Draco explain how his mansion was better than anyone's once in second year, and the detail he went into remained with me, even now. How his house had lavish gardens and stone details carved into the stone of his Family House. His ancestral house being one of the oldest buildings in the magical community, the magic that had seeped into the stones were ancient, and best of all his house crest. The Malfoy House Crest, I had heard hours of detail about, standing proudly above the front door for everyone to see, I could even see it now if I wanted to. But why would I want to do that, when I had my own crest right here, blazing in front of me?
My own house? Personally, I think it made Malfoy's description of his house look like a gatehouse. It was amazing. The Potter House Crest stood proud with the crimson griffon emblazed on it, the motto hanging high 'Potter and Proud' make shivers go down my spine as I looked over it with Hermione. She squeezed my hand making my breakout of my stupor as I glanced around the grounds, it was a little overgrown but could be sorted out eventually. The House walls vibrated with magic the closer I stepped towards the doors, like the manor itself knew I was home. The stones felt alive with the magic absorbed inside of them and I felt connected to the whole thing.
As I came closer to the door, I felt my magic rising as if to meet with the magic of the house and become stronger. I got closer to the entrance door, about to raise my hand to open it when it opened for me. There in the doorway, stood a small elf. The smallest elf I have ever seen actually. I wondered if it was an elf child as the little boy looked at me in surprise. I would have guessed he was round about 7, if not for the pale look, he had upon him like he was sick. He began to look even worse when his eyes went to my hand and saw the ring lying there displaying the Potter Crest. He backpedalled a step, looking back up to me nervously and bowing, though I hated it and before he was halfway down, I lowered myself and picked him back up before he could fall forward. He flinched as I helped him back up, backing away from my hands in a hurry and instead of stopping him I let him go before speaking to him.
"It's okay, I won't hurt you. What's your name? My name is Harry." I asked him softly. He was beyond spooked, either at me or the sight of the ring on my finger. I waited for his reply as his eyes looked over us; me, Hermione, her parents, and finally they landed on Winky. His eyes took in her clothes and manner I noticed, 'A smart little elf, to find his only relatable source of identity to try and work out his social cues.' I noted, observing how the little elf became more confident as he saw Winky come closer to me and tug my clothes. My elf never took her eyes of him as she told me how scared he was, he thought I was here to take him away and sell him to a different house, without his family. I saw Hermione look devastated as Winky explained, the young elf watched me fearfully as Winky spoke of taking him away.
"Don't worry, little one. I am Lord of this House; you serve me not a different house. I won't harm you, now my name is Harry Potter, but you can just call me Harry okay. What about your name?" I told him, seeing his eyes gleam with hope when I said I was this House's Lord. He came a little closer to me, his small elf ears perking a little when I told him my name, wither he knew of me or recognised the Potter part I wasn't sure of, but he seemed less scared now.
"E-Ebby, milord. I make s-sure the door is s-secure…" The poor little elf told me quietly. I heard Jean give a little aw at how frightened he was, while she held Ian closer. Winky spoke to him, asking him why he was doing this instead of an elder elf. Ebby shuffled a little closer, eying me up still until I told him I wouldn't be mad.
"They… they sick. They don't move. Ebby don't know how to help. Ebby scared." My heart dropped as Ebby spoke, I wasn't sure if the other elves were alive or not if they weren't moving and I think even Winky thought the same as her breath froze. She knew like I what was making the elves sick, they weren't bonded to me.
"Don't worry Ebby, we can help them, do you think you could show us where the other elves are?" I asked him. Surprisingly, he became more confident, as he perked up a little bit more and pointed in the direction behind him. I moved up from where I had lowered myself to his level and stepped towards where he was pointing, it seemed like it when into a large walkway that had closed doors to either side. The most striking thing of course, was the large paintings covering the whole area of the walls in the dark and dimly lit corridor, each painting holding two or maybe three people who all were at the moment, asleep. 'Were these my ancestors? My family?' I thought as my eyes roamed around each one, straining to see in the dark and wondering what could be behind the doors or even up the grand staircase that held attention in the middle of the room.
I was broken out of my thoughts as I felt Ebby slip his little hand into mine, clutching onto my little finger like a small child would. In that moment, I was 16 and I felt like a parent. For a second I felt what it would be like to have someone rely on you, a small being like Ebby was, and I realised. I actually do have creatures and other people relying on me. From Dobby and Winky to Hermione and Daphne, to Hedwig and those four eggs my mam had left me. Of course, I stopped thinking before my brain overloaded and let myself be tugged around by a small seven-year-old elf. While following Ebby, I looked over some of the closest portraits. None of them I recognised. And by that, I mean none were my parents, who I was hoping to see. A few of them went back a few decades and a few even a century but it seemed most of these Potters, were only a small section of the Potter family that had moved to America.
A small little trip through the kitchens, and Ebby had us in front of the elf quarters. I had no idea what was behind that door as Ebby stood nervously in front of it, I gripped Hermione's hand hoping she was prepared for what could be sick elves or even corpses. We stepped forward, about to open the door when Winky stopped us. She told us only the Lord and Lady should enter the elf quarters and so she would take Ian and Jean back into the main section if I approved. Hermione agreed and so I nodded as we turned back to Ebby and walked through a large oak door into the common room of the Potter's elves.
Inside, was worth that I imagined it could be.,. I thought I would see beds of elves sickly clinging to life or even a few bodies lying against the floor in a corner while some of the healthier elves tried to help the worst off. Instead, I was wrong.
Inside the room was rows and rows of beds, all stacked up and piled against the walls to provide a lot of space in the middle of the room. In the middle of that space were a few grey couches, old and worn. Further ahead of the couches was a fireplace, made of stone and slowly becoming colder as the fire inside died with the last embers glowing softly. A stench flowed around the room, like nothing was clean and becoming dirtier as the days continued. But the sight of the elves in the room was even more sickening than this.
Around the whole room: the beds against the wall, the worn grey couches, even the floor lay littered with sickly elves, clutching their stomachs and even their chests as they moaned in pain. The sight was horrible, and I hated myself for taking so long to think of my House elves, my mind jumped at the thought of the Black elves and knew I had to go as soon as these elves were recovering. Hermione and I had the same thought as we jumped into action, each off us going over checking each elf to see if they were responsive enough to take an oath or even a potion. Ebby watched us for a moment as we went, seeing us lift each elf and trying for a response, before moving over the fireplace and the rocking chair next to it. I didn't think anything off it until I heard Ebby give a small whisper and looked to see a frazzled elf no bigger than Ebby, but older and wrinkled more of course, sitting on the rocking chair. I couldn't hear what Ebby said to the elf, his tone quieter than ever like he was scared of being too loud for the old elf, but I did hear the last part. 'He's here.'
The old elf opened his eyes and as dimly lit the room was with the last echo's of light from the fireplace, the eyes of the elf gleamed as they locked onto me. Like hope had come into the room, the elf gave a sigh as his body relaxed. I moved closer, slowly telling the elf not to rush, I was here now. The old eyes bore into mine as I moved to the height of the elf, the rocking chair slowly moving back and forth as Ebby stood next to Hermione. I spoke to the elf, telling him who I was and how I was now the Lord of this House after claiming the title and ring, I told him how I wanted to help the elves here, but I didn't know how since they couldn't give me the oath they needed too. Slowly the mouth of the elf opened, and he told me the only way that would work to save them now.
"Blood… Blood, Lord. Your blood." He uttered softly. His eyes dimming back into his head and before I could even think my wand was out and a soft cutting spell had opened my fingertip. A flash of Deja Ve went through me as I let the drop of blood fall from my hand, like it had with Voldemort two years ago in the graveyard. But this time it wasn't for my enemy, it was for my servants, the servants of my house. As the drop of blood landed in the old elf's mouth his eyes snapped back open. His eyes wide as they registered the blood at the end of my finger. He froze, his eyes watching mine as I waited for something else to happen, but nothing did other than he looked stronger. Eventually I snapped myself out of it and moved to the other elves, letting a drop of blood enter their system and moving onto the next. Soon enough a small band of elves were looking around the room watching me as I moved around saving them, Ebby watching with awe on his face while Hermione was taking some of the awakened elves onto some new beds she had summoned and transfigured.
I won't make it sound like a miracle, though it should have been if I had come earlier. Some elves I couldn't save, even my blood wasn't strong enough to bring them back from a certain point. These elves I would have remembered, for lasting as long as they could when I should have come sooner. Each elf I couldn't save was like a stab in the ribs and eventually when I finished with the last elf I looked up and around the room. What I saw was sorrow. Out of all the elves, only half had survived, all of them staring at me before glancing at the dead. The saddest thing though, was seeing Ebby. He had moved away from the elder elf and stood next to another smaller male elf. One that hadn't survived.
"Who was this brave little elf, Ebby?" I asked him, setting down next to him and seeing him sadly look up to me. My heart broke as I tell him silently asking for me to help, to try my blood again and see if he wakes up. Who was I to not try?
As I let another drop slip from my finger, I watched as Ebby grew hope for another second, his fingers clasped onto my small one. And I watched that hope die…
"Ebby…" I started but couldn't find the words.
"He's was Tibby. Ebby's brother." Ebby told me.
My eyes became heavy as I looked over Tibby, the tears already pushing hard to come over my eyes and fall down my face. I kept them in though as I looked to Ebby and squeezed his little hand. I wanted to say something, for Tibby or to keep Ebby's mind of it all but the best thing I could think of was the silence. The silence for Tibby and Ebby as I looked over the both of them.
"Ebby, come over here." The old elf muttered softly in the silence, and while Ebby remained still I moved him slowly over to the old elf. While I moved him towards the elf, the others quietened. Watching me they crowed around the fireplace, me, and the old elf with Ebby and Hermione right in the centre. The old elf looked stronger, but still cold as he shivered, the fireplace was quickly restarted after a spell from Hermione and began to warm the room around us.
"Elves, this is the new Lord and Lady Potter." The elf slowly spoke, his words stumbling as the came from his mouth as he continued, "I am Elpas. Elder Elf of House Potter, at your service my lord and lady for the rest of my days if you will have me?" Elpas, the ancient elf offered his oath, I barely paused before accepting as I hoped it would give him more strength. Of course, it did exactly that. As I muttered the acceptance of the oath, Elpas gave a sigh as he visibly grew younger by a few decades and became stronger.
"Now I can speak with you better my Lord and Lady, I am sorry for your welcome back to The Potter Place. We have been too long without a bond, forgive us. We will get to work at once to restore the manor." Elpas said, about to stand up as he started saying to the elves to offer their oaths and get to work quickly. I stopped him with my hand, keeping him in his chair as the other elves remained rooted to stare at me.
"First things first everyone. Heal, I need you all to rest and feel better for now. My name is Harry, I prefer Hadrian a lot nowadays, especially over the master title. For now, I need your oaths for you all to bond with me." I told them, the natural shocked response at the kindness, really horrified me. It was small moments like this that made me realise Hermione was right about the treatment of elves, it really was horrendous.
Within an hour I had the other elves oaths of service and the majority of them looked better all ready. Ebby in particular was bouncing to have his first order from me, so I knew I had to give him one, at least it would keep him busy for now. I told him to start looking through the library for the ward book of the manor. After that I had a small talk with the Elder Elpas, about everything that had happened recently and just before I was born. He told me how my blood has saved a lot of them, my magic awakened them enough to finish the bonding process with the oath, my blood had begun the process. Then he told me how the elves had been stuck unable to find me since I hadn't had either my Lordship or Heir rings until now, and by then the elves were too weak to find me and bond. I felt the anger rise up in myself as I thought how I could have saved them, all of them if Dumbledore hadn't hidden everything from me. My elves could have had the rest of their lives if it weren't for his petty manipulations. Though I was angry with myself I still knew there was more to do, the Black elves should be safer since they had Arcturus named Sirius as an heir, but they still needed to bond to their Lord soon, and by that I meant now.
I told Hermione to spend some time here, give the elves a few potions and begin moving the dead to be buried somewhere on the grounds, where a memorial should be placed. I was about to call for Dobby before a thought shrank into my head, pulling and taunting me as the words came forth from my lips. Kreacher…
Here and now the very elf that Sirius despised appeared in front of me. In my own ancestral home as he looked at me and nearly wailed out loud. He started pulling his ears as he screeched to be released and sent back to his mistress's at Grimmauld Place. I hoped he meant Narcissa and Andromeda. The Potter elves all looked at him with a slight hint of anger, already loyal to me and hating how rude this elf was to me, his master, after saving all of their lives. Kreacher paused as he caught sight of the Elder Elf, his tantrum paused as he took in his surroundings, the Potter Place, and the dead elves around him. For a moment, I think he had no clue what to do, as he stood there and looked at his Elder. Elpas pointed back to me and waited until Kreacher turned. I then told Kreacher what had happened, how the elves had not yet bonded to me like he hasn't and that there were likely elves like this at the Black House. Though the words were bitter, I told him I was sorry Sirius wasn't kind to him the way he should have been, and how his mistress and masters would be proud of him even in death. Two minutes later, I believed I had my first Black elf to swear their service oath.
Another minute later, I was outside a totally different House to the Potter Place…
