Moving On
Chapter - 11
Potter Manor
As they neared, even through the fog, they could now clearly see a crest on the large gate in front of them. As both neared it, a hole appeared in the middle of the gate. When Harry unfurled the rolled parchment, he could not help but feel slightly awed at the list of properties. He noticed that the Potter Manor was on top of it, next to the name, something slowly started to appear, likewise to a very familiar map.
Enter your wand into the hole, it read. It was when he nox-ed his wand to do so that she stopped him.
"Harry, I don't think it's wise to do that. What if you lose your wand?" she asked.
"But... We don't have any other choice, 'Mione. I have a feeling that this is not a trap. I don't think I can explain it. But... It feels correct to do so."
"Ok, Harry. But not the elder wand. Even if this is a trap, that is our best bet. Here use mine." she said as she thrust her own wand into his hand.
He felt the wand feeling warm in his hands. Which was new, as he never experienced it before, he ignored it momentarily and entered the wand into the keyhole. Within seconds, the door vanished into the fog, leaving the wand in his hands. Lights started to shine in the then-dark manor, trees looked more alive. It was as if life again started to flow through the once life-less place.
With the light's now on, as they saw the place in its full glory, Harry could not help but blurt out a "Bloody hell!".
Which was soon followed by a light smack on his arms, as Hermione without skipping a beat said "Language, Love" as it was usual for her to call her Harry as love.
'Her Harry?' she questioned herself, as she looked at him, as she saw a lopsided grin on his face as he murmured an 'Oops'; she felt her insides getting squishy. She decided, 'Her Harry it is'.
She smiled back at him, oblivious to the similar effect she had on him with her smile and tugged him towards the Manor, as he slipped back her wand into her hand and gave her a peck on the lips.
"Wow," she said as they stepped inside. It looked as grand as it looked from outside. The entire place looked as if made of gold as it basked in the bright, golden light from the glass chandelier, taking the grandeur to a different level. The room had the perfect amount of furniture, which would not have looked out of place in a palace.
Suddenly a pop sound brought them to reality. With wands drawn, they spun quickly to see a house-elf looking not quite like one, neatly dressed in a pink dress, wearing a floral apron on top.
"Dobby?" both called out in unison voice full of hope, even though the elf looked nothing like him, while sadness too apparently crept into their voices.
While the elf, on the other hand, ignored the call as she squealed "Little Master Harry!" while nearly jumping on him and hugging him like there was no tomorrow.
"I am Aleen. You might not remember me, Master Harry, I took care of you when you were a baby. You have grown so much!" she practically gushed at the last statement, still not releasing him.
Both Harry and Hermione were confused, as the actions and speech of the elf were totally different from the ones they have met or interacted with before.
The elf looked at Harry, clearly understanding the confusion on his face. It explained.
"You wonder why I am different?" with a nod from the two, she continued, "The elves at Potter Manor are not enslaved, Master Harry. We work for the Potter's not due to the usual slavery bond on the elves, but due to the respect we have on the Potter's. And yes, for the pay too."
As Hermione started, "You also speak diff-"
Cutting her off, she replied, "You want to know why I don't speak like the other elves?" When Hermione nodded in agreement, speechless as it was her who would usually do the cutting-off. Ignoring her again, the elf in question continued.
"It is also due to the slavery bond on the elves. It diminishes the thinking capacity of the elves so that they cannot question their condition or want to be free. I think that suffices as an answer. But let's leave all that for now, not to ruin a happy occasion."
Looking at Hermione then at Harry once again, the elf did what could have been considered a smirk as she nearly asked in a sing-song manner.
"Been busy, haven't you, Master Harry?" while giving him a wink. Making the two teens in question blush madly, now nearly to a stage of forgetting the previously heavy day. She stood still for a few seconds, seeing them, with a reminiscent look on her face. Snapping out of it, she turned to look at Hermione, and continued, "I forgot at seeing Master Harry for years, but I should have asked first, May I know your name, Mistress?"
"I am Hermione Jean Granger, but please call me Hermione, but how did you know that Harry and I are together?" she questioned back.
"We elves can feel bonds, Mistress Hermione. You and Master Harry share a strong one of love. So strong..." The elf trailed off and continued a bit quietly, "just like Master James and Mistress Lily..."
"From the looks on your faces, I think you both have had quite a day, but there are matters that need immediate attention. If you will follow me, Master Harry, you have the important issue of re-configuring the wards."
"Until then, Mistress Hermione, please take a seat and wait here, As you are not Lady Potter yet, you won't be able to see the ward stone." and proceeded to redirect the now-red-as-tomato-teens, one towards a couch and the other through a door.
"So, what do I do now?" asked Harry as he stood before a large stone.
"The ward stone has weakened without enough magic, Master Harry. It would be best if you first recharge them to some level before modifying them. Use your wand and will your magic into the ward stone, Master."
He complied. As seconds passed, sweat started forming on his brow but he still continued to push his magic into the stone, making the runes on it to glow. What he did not observe was the look of awe on the elves' face.
"That's... enough, Master Harry." the elf said, making him break the flow of magic, making him take a breath as he acquired a haggard. The elf at the snap of a finger, handed him a potion vial silently.
"Master Harry. This is the ward book." the elf said as she traded the now-empty vial to a large bound book with a regal looking quill with her master before continuing, "First you have to add your name as the manor's lord. And if you wish, add Mistress Hermione as the Lady of the manor. After that, you can remove or add names."
As he opened the book, the page was completely blank, except for the blank spaces for the names of the lord and the lady. But as soon as he finished writing Hermione's name, the contents changes while the book emitted a short glow.
The book now listed the names of the two as Lord and Lady on top, followed by empty lines for new names to be added.
"Now you can add the names of those you wish to allow complete access, Master." the elf said, but it went unheeded as Harry closed the book and returned it with the quill.
When the elf gave a questioning look, Harry simply stared back, with no response of his own. The elf gave a bare nod.
"Let's get back, Master Harry. Dinner is now ready." said the elf before again leading the way back.
Hermione was sipping on a glass of water, handed just moments before by another house-elf, as she saw Harry returning with the same elf, looking just as he used to look when coming from a quidditch practice.
"Harry? What happened?" she asked concerned.
"Nothing, 'Mione. I had to spend some magic for the wards." he replied, making the elf do something very close to a snort.
"Master Harry, you did not spend just some magic, you nearly overcharged the wards. You should have stopped when you started to feel the loss." she continued silently "You are too determined for your own good." before asking "What shall you be having for dinner?" asked the elf.
Passing the question to capable hands, Harry gave a questioning look to Hermione.
"Something light? I am just feeling too sleepy. Ok, Harry?"
"Anything's Ok for me, 'Mione. Something light it is then." said Harry to the elf.
"Sure, Master Harry. The dinner will be ready shortly. Till then, If you will, please take a seat." said the elf before vanishing into the air.
As Harry looked at Hermione, he could nearly hear his heartbeat, which he chalked up to the heavy use of magic. He took her hand, which felt too warm, his mouth nearly watering from hunger. They both took a seat on the couch.
"Harry, are you really alright?" she asked.
"Yeah, 'Mione. I am good. Just hungry. So what should we do now..."
"Let's just have some rest tonight, Harry. I think we need to plan more..." she said as she looked at him, having a good idea of how Harry would take it as blame on him. I too should have thought about it before going to Gringotts. A shudder coursed through her as she realized once again at how close they brushed with death today. Her thoughts proved true as a look of guilt developed on Harry's face before he started apologizing once again.
"Again, I am sorr-" his words were cut off as his lips became alternatively engaged in a forced meeting with the ones of the witch-he-loved. The kiss became heated as seconds passed, starting to develop as a guilty individual started getting involved, his thoughts of guilt rapidly morphed into happiness.
"Ahem..." tried an amused looking elf in vain. Casting a mild elvish sonorous, she had to try twice before succeeding. In process, separating the now madly grinning and blushing individuals, looking slightly sheepish.
"The dinner is ready, Master Harry, Mistress Hermione. Please follow me." said the grinning elf as she began to lead.
"Wow," said Harry, looking at Hermione before slightly blushing.
"Wow indeed." she slightly giggled before continuing, "Hope you understood that you need not feel guilty, Harry. It's just we need to plan much better before doing something." and yeah, also murder a red-head. She said to herself as she walked, holding the hands of the one-she-really-loved.
Dinner turned out to be a quiet affair, after which the two settled on the couch, cuddling into the other, not willing to be apart though the space was available. Silence was prevalent as both quietly enjoyed each others company. It took quite sometime before the silence was disturbed.
"I have a request. Can..." she simply stated, not betraying any emotions.
"Yeah, 'Mione. Whatever it is." he replied.
"Harry! You must listen to things before agreeing."
"I trust you, Only you" he stated as he looked at her and cupped her face in his hands, before saying "stood by me every time. Even if I took stupid decisions, you argued, yes. But you never betrayed me. You need not request anything from me, all I have is yours." before giving a little peck on her lips.
"Thank you, Harry. All I want is here with me," she said, poking at him playfully, with a smile on her face. "I suspect something, but we need to visit St. Mungo's for it."
"Why? Are you hurt somehow?" he asked back, concerned.
"No, But as I say, I just suspect something, but we have to confirm it before handling it" she finished with a venom in her voice that would do Bellatrix proud.
The wheels in Harry's mind started whirling. He tried to think of what would cause her this much anger. As he kept hitting dead ends, he finally let it for the time, just hoping that he was not the reason for it.
"How tomorrow sounds?" she asked him.
"Sure, 'Mione. What could go wrong?" he said laughing a little, which set her off too. It took some time for him to get a nod back in answer before silence engulfed them once again.
An elf quietly stood there, as she watched two teens peacefully sleeping on the couch, getting comfort from the other company.
Silently she put a comforter on them, as Hermione snuggled closer into him, she thought, Just like old Master and Mistress. Before vanishing again.
Malfoy Chateau
A girl quietly walked towards the main door and opened it, just enough for her to pass through it. Once outside, even without bothering to close it back, she ran. As fast as she could through the thorny land, not caring about her bare feet. If caught at this point, that pain would be nothing compared to what she would feel.
Nearing the gate, she felt passing through the wards. Thanking Merlin for no harmful wards for the outbound, but still, to be sure to be safely outside the anti-apparition wards she went a bit further.
Getting ready to apparate, she pictured the destination clearly in her mind. It was then she heard it.
"Traitor!" screamed a man. As he came running towards her. Behind him in close pursuit were a blonde man and a ragged looking man, All throwing dark curses like confetti.
Not just a little afraid, she turned on the spot, willing her magic to apparate. To take her to the safe place in her mind.
Suddenly everything became silent.
She slightly opened her eyes, which started to well up in tears. For a change in a long time, the reason for them was happiness. Happy to have escaped her fate, Pansy Parkinson nearly walked with a skip in step into the home of her grandparents.