Yule News… and Olds

Hermione, Harry, and Gohan spent their free time on training, Unity projects, and increasing their wealth. Bulma had been very generous and had given Gohan a fair sum of money, so he was learning about wizarding finances, as well. Their returns were increasing at a steady rate, so much, in fact that Bulma decided to allow Gohan to invest on her behalf, as well.

Hermione frowned thoughtfully. "Professor Dumbledore? How much would you say that the Daily Profit brings in?"

The headmaster's eyes twinkled. "The Prophet is the largest read wizarding article in Britain, the fourth most widely read in the world. Is there any reason for your question, Lady Subaru?"

Hermione frowned. "The Daily Prophet seems to be a highly biased paper. Who is the main share-holder in the company?"

"Lucius Malfoy owns the most in the Prophet. Twenty-eight percent. The rest of the shares are scattered amongst various ministry officials."

Hermione frowned. "Would it be possible for the three of us to purchase the various shares and usurp Malfoy's authority?"

Dumbledore nodded. "I have heard talk about various shareholders being disillusioned with the Prophet before. They only retain their holdings to keep Malfoy from buying them up. Perhaps if I let the word around that someone with better intent was interested, they'd be more willing to part their shares, especially if different parties were involved."

Gohan frowned thoughtfully. "Maybe I should be in charge of this project. I don't have any fiscal responsibility as of yet. The two of you can buy shares and sell them to me, and I can buy shares. We'll turn the paper into a completely independent, unbiased, informative news provider. Maybe we'll even be able to expand our horizons and print magazines and books."

"That's a good idea," Harry said thoughtfully. "The more the public is informed, the better. And with our combined seats in the Wizengamot, we can pass laws to ensure freedom of press."

"We can also offer classes on journalism to the editor committee. They, in turn, can teach the others so we can save money on Muggle college instruction. All writing will be approved by the committee so that biased materials won't make their way into the publication," Hermione said happily, her eyes sparkling with unmasked excitement. "Come to think of it, the wizarding world seems to be completely lacking in critical thinking skills, perhaps a few well-placed muggle bookstores would be very helpful. College-level texts, the classics, maybe we can open an institution dedicated to the higher learning of wizards!"

Gohan chuckled. "Yeah, but don't we need to get started first? We were talking about the Daily Prophet."

Hermione blushed. "Oh. I knew that."

…

A series of owls were swooping down on the three over the next couple of weeks. Since the three were constantly receiving owls throughout the year, no one deemed it suspicious. By the end of term, Gohan officially owned the publication. Legolas Malfoy owned twenty percent himself, due to the fact that his father forgot to remove the shares from Legolas when he disowned him. Legolas agreed to support the trio in their endeavor to change wizarding publications for the better. Lucius Malfoy, hearing that another wizard had secretly purchased the majority of the wayward shares, backed out gracefully and sold his shares to Amelia Bones, Unity sympathizer, who in turn, sold them to Gohan.

Gohan implemented the plan immediately, going through the departments and reworking the entire infrastructure of the company. Rita Skeeter was placed on probation and sentenced to a muggle journalism school. One of the first classes she would take would be on journalistic integrity.

One week after the Yule Ball was announced, Gohan approached Hermione, blushing. "Hermione? Would you give me the honor of escorting you to the Yule Ball?"

Hermione bit her lip. "I'm so sorry, Gohan. Viktor Krum asked me two weeks ago, and I said yes. I told him that I would go with him as a friend, and he agreed. He said he had to have a date because he was a champion, and he didn't want to take any of the other silly girls that were following him around. I'm really sorry, Gohan!"

Gohan winced in disappointment. Finally, he gave a small smile. "That's okay. I guess I'll just go alone. Save me a dance?"

Hermione smiled in relief. "Of course. But are you sure you want to go alone? I'm sure I can find somebody—"

Gohan waved her off. "That's okay. I really don't want to go with anyone else. Besides, it's just a dance."

Hermione hugged him. "Gohan, you are such a great friend."

Gohan chuckled sheepishly as he scratched his head.

"Oh and Gohan? If anybody asks, don't tell them who I'm going with."

Gohan smirked and nodded.

…

Gohan had heard the entire exchange between Hermione and Ron concerning Hermione's date. Ron glared viciously at Gohan and asked him if he knew who was taking Hermione to the ball. Gohan sighed.

"Yes, I do."

Ron frowned. "Well? Who is it?"

Gohan shrugged. "Sorry, but if Hermione didn't want to tell you, I don't think I should."

Ron gritted his teeth. "It better not be you!"

Gohan raised a brow. "It's not. But I did ask her. Personally, I don't see the problem with it."

"The problem is that Weasel's jealous, Son," Draco Malfoy drawled with a smirk. "He wants the Mudblood for himself."

"Shut your mouth, Malfoy," Ron said loudly.

Malfoy's smirk grew. "I'd watch what you say to me, Weasel. Being in Potty's doghouse might bode ill for you. Who's to say that anyone will come to your aid if an unfortunate incident occurs?"

Ron, whose face was becoming red in an increasingly alarming rate, stood quickly, and whipped out his wand. One loud bang later had Ron lying on the floor, belching slugs, this time from the tip of Malfoy's wand. Malfoy and his cronies laughed while Gohan watched with a stony expression. Completely enraged, Ron charged Malfoy. Before Ron's fist connected the platinum-blonde's nose, he was grabbed from behind.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING, RONALD WEASLEY?" Hermione screeched.

Ron blinked stupidly in shock. "He insulted you," Ron stammered.

Hermione scoffed. "And you think that's a crime punishable by death? Do you have ANY idea what would have happened if you had struck Malfoy WITH THAT AMOUNT OF FORCE?"

Ron snorted. "You're one to talk. You struck Malfoy last year."

Hermione growled in frustration. "I restrained myself, Ronald. A lot. You went at him at full force, you irresponsible prat! It doesn't matter what he said about me!"

Ron glared hatefully. "Either way, your father would have approved," he spat darkly as a few slugs fell from his lips. (Under Fidelius, anyone can mention Hermione's father, and anyone can mention Voldemort, they just cannot say that Voldemort is Hermione's father. That is the secret.) Gohan and Harry gasped. Ron had said it loud enough that some from the other tables had heard it.

Hermione's eyes darted fearfully at the Slytherins. Malfoy noticed the look. She gritted her teeth as she glowered at the red-head, her eyes filling. "You…I…" She stormed from the hall.

Fred and George exchanged identical sneers. "We need to have words, brother." They hauled a paling, trembling Ron to his feet and dragged him from the hall. Gohan slammed his fork to his plate with a clatter to find his friend.

As he strode across the hall, he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Hey…Son. Are you alright? You know I didn't mean that tripe about Granger, right? I was just goading the Weasel."

"Don't worry about it, Malfoy. I need to find Hermione," Gohan murmured absently.

"Why did the mention about her father make her so upset? He's a muggle, right?"

"Never mind, Malfoy," Gohan said wearily.

"You really care about her, don't you?"

Gohan stopped, forgetting his quest for a moment. "I do. I love everything about her. Her intelligence, her strength, the way her curls bounce when she moves. She smells like earth and wild cherry blossoms. she's kind, courageous, brilliant, hard-working…I could write a book, actually."

Malfoy sneered for a moment. "And what would you name it, The Essence of Granger?" The sneer dropped immediately. "Go find her. She's probably crying over the prat."

Gohan nodded and walked away.

"Son?"

Gohan looked over his shoulder.

"You're not bad, for a monkey-boy."

Gohan smiled and turned the corner.

Draco waited a few more seconds before he muttered quietly, "Potter."

A soft pop echoed through the hallway. "What can Harry Potter do for Master Draco?"

Smirking slightly at the address, Draco drawled, "I have a job for you."

…

As the Yule ball came closer and closer, members of Unity focused on securing dates for the ball. Neville asked Ginny, who consented because she wouldn't get to go otherwise. Videl Satan was going with George Weasley, and Fred was going with Angelina Johnson. Harry asked Luna Lovegood to the dance, who was delighted at the invitation.

"Luna? Would you like to play ball with me? Just as friends?" He had asked.

Luna had smiled serenely. "Harry Potter, I'd be pleased to go, as friends, to the ball with you."

…

Hermione gestured excitedly to her friends as they entered the Hogwarts kitchen via the door behind the portrait of fruit. The elves turned as one and gasped, bowing to the Ruroushan and bouncing excitedly around Harry and Hermione.

"Breakal kesh," she intoned, eliciting a collective gasp and a few giggles among the crowd.

"Ladyship! Ladyship! Can we help Ladyship with something? Can we get her something?" The head elf squeaked excitedly.

Hermione smiled. "I'd like to see your living quarters, please," she directed.

The elf stared. "Oh, no, no. Ladyship isn't wanting to see house-elf living quarters? Ladyship is too good and clean and—"

"Living quarters, please," Hermione repeated.

The elf blushed with embarrassment as he led Hermione to the stairs leading to the house elves living quarters. Harry and Gohan blinked in surprise at the ratty, drab, depressing room.

Hermione surveyed the place with increasing disdain. "How dreary. What is your name, sir?

The elf teared up at being referred to as sir. "I is called Nod, Ladyship."

Hermione straightened to her full petite height. "Not anymore. What is your Enthusi name?"

A quiet murmur filled the long, depressing basement as the elves stared together in collective awe at Hermione's bold proclamation.

The trio spent the entire day in the elves' quarters: cleaning, transforming, transfiguring the living space into something more habitable. Hermione and Gohan, who had insisted on learning everything they could from Frusha concerning house-elf culture, took everything they learned and built adequate living accommodations for the some one hundred house-elves that dwelt at Hogwarts. The elves that weren't working at the moment watched in morbid fascination, morbid for house-elves at any rate, as the three scourged, conjured, and expanded the space.

By the time the three were finished, the basement was completely unrecognizable from its previous appearance. The room was filled with light through rune-made opaque windows. The expanded room looked like a small city, with small, elf-sized buildings facing the hallway, forming a stone road. Each house was unique in some way in shape, size, or color. Hermione encouraged each elf family to select a house and carve their family symbols onto the door frame of their respective house. Hermione, Gohan, and Harry each received hugs as returning elves newly discovered the elf-sized accommodations for their quarters.

Hermione encouraged the elves to make whatever changes they didn't like in color or shape of their houses. Immediately, some of the houses took on the appearance of miniature, rounded capsule houses. She raised her hand for attention.

"As caretakers and fellow residents of Hogwarts, it is only fair that you receive all the rights and privileges of other castle dwellers possess. Therefore, I am allowing you access to the school library outside of library hours, with the provision that you follow the other rules of the library and clean up after yourself. You will each be given one day of rest or free time and one galleon a week for your services to the school."

"But, Ladyship, what is we be doing with wizarding money?" One elf squeaked nervously.

Hermione smiled at her. "You may think of ways to spend your money after I tell you the rest. From this day forward, each and every one of you may decide for yourselves whether or not you want to stay bonded to Hogwarts, to me. You may wear clothes if you wish—" she held up a hand to stay the onslaught of murmuring, "—but will not be forced to do so."

"You are free to choose whichever, whether to remain as servants to the school or to leave to seek your fortune. As free elves, you are permitted to speak, write, and use Enthusi in the open, without fear of punishment. You are permitted to write books, letters, stories. You are permitted to pursue arts and music to your content, whether or not you decide to stay. You are permitted to have and obtain possessions of your own by use of your well-earned money and gift-giving. I believe the one galleon pay can be used in pursuit of any or all of those ambitions.

"Whatever your decision, I am very grateful for your service and honored by your continuing loyalty. Allow me to assure you that you deserve everything I can do for you and more. I feel privileged standing amidst such a proud, kind, diligent race and hope to pursue friendships with each and every one of you. Today, you will each be known by the name of your choosing. And above all, under my employ, you may not, under any circumstances, punish yourselves," Hermione held her wand aloft. "I, Lianna Kari Subaru, Heiress Arandia, do attest and affirm the statements above and resolve to strive for the same. So mote it be." A faint shimmering glow filled the room and dissipated.

There wasn't a dry eye in Elf Sanctuary. Elves tearfully stepped forward to claim their chosen names. Not one single house elf chose to leave. Dobby stepped forward enthusiastically. "Dobby wants a new name!"

Hermione smiled. "Dobby, you are a free elf. You should go by whatever name you want."

Dobby wrung his hands. "Of course, Ladyship, but Dobby needs a bond. House-elves thrive from bondship; it fuels their magic. Would Ladyship bond Dobby?"

Hermione bit her lip.

"Are there other bonds besides servitude, Dobby?" Gohan asked.

The elf nodded excitedly. "Oh, there is! There's the elder bond, the brother bond, the marriage bond, but Dobby is having none of those because Dobby's family is gone, Master Gohan. There's also the friendship bond—"

"I'll do one of those," Gohan interrupted. The crowd gasped collectively.

The elf's eyes filled with tears. "You friendship-bond with Dobby?"

Hermione nodded. "I'll do it as well."

Harry approached. "And I."

"No wizard is ever friendship-bonding with an elf! Ladyship, Harry Potter, and Master Gohan are all great wizards!" Dobby sobbed hysterically.

Harry knelt. "Just tell us what to do."

Dobby extended his trembling hand. "I want a name that says that I am free."

Harry took his hand as Hermione spoke. "How about Freed-elf?"

"Dobby Freedelf is offering his friendship to great, wonderful, and kind Lord Potter…and is accepting any offering of the same. Dobby is moting it," the elf sobbed in english before repeating it in Enthusi. Dobby's body began to glow golden.

"And I, Harry James Potter, Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, offer my friendship to Dobby Freedelf, and I accept his offer. So mote it be." Threads of golden light surrounded their entwined hands and both glowed gold. The elves gasped in awe.

Gohan came forward and offered his arm. "I, Son Gohan, half Saiyan son of Son Goku and Princess Chi-Chi, offer my friendship to Dobby Freedelf, a diligent, faithful, free elf, and accept any offers of the same. So mote it be."

"Dobby Freedelf is accepting of Gohan Son's friendship. Dobby Freedelf is offering friendship to strong, noble, powerful Gohan Son. Dobby is moting it." Once again, Dobby repeated the words in Enthusi, and the golden glow surrounded them both.

Finally, Hermione approached and clasped Dobby's arm. The elves all gasped as she spoke. "Lianna Kari Subaru, Surri Arandia, Surri Slytherin, vansa nu corlukesk nuo Dobby Freedelf, vansala na corlukesha nu. Trainal bane."

Dobby sobbed his reply. "Dobby Freedelf…vanso na corluk…esha na Surri Lianna Subaru, Surri Arandia, Surri Slytherin, vansolo nu…corlukesh na. Trainal bane." The golden glow filled the room of crying elves.

Hermione frowned thoughtfully before she turned. "Frusha?"

"Yes, Miss Hermione?" The elf intoned through her tears.

"You have served me faithfully this year. I told you at the beginning that I hoped you would consider me a friend. Would you do me the honor of a friendship bond?"

"Oh, Ladyship!" The elf launched herself at Hermione, hugging Hermione's knees.

All Unity members and sympathisers had their Christmas in the Chamber of the Four. Dobby and Frusha pulled out all the stops in decorating the chamber, which was as spectacular as the Grand Hall. The Unity members had an incredible haul of presents. Molly Weasley sent her usual to everyone: a sweater and some food. Hermione did her usual as well, buying everyone a book.

Gohan began to happily unwrap his presents. Harry had gotten him a collapsible easel. Hermione had gotten him a special edition set of J.R.R Tolkein. Snape had given him a potions kit and journal. Bulma had sent him more communicators and money to invest. Filch had bought him an art book, and his mother sent him medical books.

Hermione fingered the narrow, long box curiously. It read, "Happy Christmas, Love Gohan." She opened it and gasped. A beautiful white-gold necklace with a periwinkle heart-shaped stone encircled by small round diamonds. She placed the box carefully in her messenger bag; she'd speak with Gohan about it later.

Suddenly, a flash brightened the Chamber for a second. Everyone stared at the newcomers in shock. A man with untidy, spiky black hair in an orange gi waved enthusiastically.

"Hi, Gohan. It's great to see you," Goku said happily.

"Hey, Dad!" Gohan exclaimed enthusiastically before asking quizzically. "Who are with you?"

The Saiyan scratched his head and chuckled. "Well, perhaps—"

But Harry and Hermione were already approaching the three. Harry bit his lip. "Mum? Dad?"

The woman smiled beautifully. "Harry—" Harry rushed into his parents arms and cried.

Hermione approached her mother cautiously. The woman's eyes sparkled in amusement. "It's alright, Lianna. I won't bite."

Hermione shifted her weight nervously. "You didn't like me before," she said softly.

The woman winced sadly. "Oh, sweetheart. It wasn't you. It wasn't. I was so confused and broken. It took me ages to get past everything Riddle did to me. I never blamed you. That's no excuse for neglecting you as I did. Forgive me?"

Hermione bit her lip as she slowly approached the woman and wrapped her arms around her.

Goku's expression brightened as someone snuck quietly toward the door. He rapidly approached the retreating figure and wrapped an arm around him, causing him to flinch.

"Hey, Sev! It's great to see ya!" Goku spun him around, beaming. "Hey, Lil! Look who it is!" He dragged the sputtering man from the shadows and hugged him in front of the entire party.

"Blast you, Son! Get! Off!" Professor Snape struggled fruitlessly against the stronger man.

"Oh, don't be that way, Sev! It's been years. Who wants a group hug?" Goku called happily.

Gohan's eyes brightened. "I do!" He embraced his father and the increasingly blushing potions master.

"Don't. Even. Think. About it," He sneered at two evilly grinning red-heads that approached ominously. His eyes widened as a short untidy-haired teen sauntered over with an evil smirk.

"I always wondered what a hug from Snape would feel like," the boy said, his smirk growing.

"Harry, are you crazy?" Sirius Black yelled.

"Potter! I'll give you detention every week for a month! I'll deduct fifty points from Gryffindor…I'll chop you up and use you for potions ingredients for my vilest concoctions…I'll…No! Stop…Potte…Gaw!" He growled in frustration, his nose wrinkled in disgust, as the shaggy-headed man-child threw his arms around the group, standing closest to the potions master.

As the group separated, Harry nudged the twins. "We hugged Snape, and we're still alive. Best survival story ever told," The twins and Potter senior howled.

"Cheeky brat," Snape spat. "You'd do well not to tempt me, Potter. I'm a very dangerous man—"

Harry grinned. "I'm really frightened now. Between you and the dragon, I think I'd fight the dragon. Truly terrifying. So, when do I get to call you Sev?"

"Not. Ever. You insolent…I...THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, SON!" Snape bellowed as Lily and Selena joined the laughter.

Goku scratched his head. "Me? What did I do?" But his attention was diverted by a familiar cackle. He stepped over and wrapped his arms in a similar hug. "Hey, Vegeta!" The cackling stopped immediately.

"UNHAND ME, CLOWN!" Vegeta screamed as he punched Goku in the head.

"Ow. Vegeta! That hurt!" Goku whined.

"If you weren't already dead, Kakarot, I'd kill you!" The Prince of Saiyans snarled.

Goku smirked. "Are you sure? That would be pretty hard. I've been training."

"Who hasn't, idiot! Hmph!"

The Potters approached the potions master. Snape averted his eyes from the man and woman.

"I know everything, Sev," Lily said softly. Snape's jaw clenched. "I just wanted to thank you. For everything. For your loyalty."

Snape nodded stiffly, his dark eyes refusing to look at her.

"Stop torturing yourself. I don't blame you. I'm sorry that I let you push me away. I now realize what you were trying to do, despite changing your mind that night in coming to the portrait, and I appreciate it."

Snape snorted. "Lot of good it did, you still got killed."

Lily shook her head sadly. "We could've helped you, had you just told me. I would've never let old Prince force you to take the mark."

"It's too late for that," the dour man said dejectedly.

The woman nodded regretfully. "I appreciate everything, but you should try to move on. I don't want you wallowing in misery for what will never be. Find someone else."

Snape's eyes jerked to meet Lily's, their defiance glittering ominously. "Never. There'll never be another like—" His teeth clicked as his mouth closed on the words.

She sighed. "I'm not asking you to replace your feelings for me, Sev. Just try to find room in your heart for another. You shouldn't have to bear your burdens alone. Please…just think about it?"

Silence. Finally, another stiff nod. This time, James Potter spoke. "I'd like to apologize to you, Snape. You were right. I was arrogant…and stupid, a spoiled brat. If I had to endure half of what you had to during your childhood—"

"I don't need your pity, Potter!" Snape snarled.

The man nodded, smiling sadly. "I know you don't. You're a good man. Forgive me?"

Snape glared. "I'll try. But it might take a while. A long while. Pulling off impossible tasks are rather…difficult. There's the task part—" Snape smirked as Potter laughed.

"Yes, and there's the impossible part," Potter drawled. "I hear you're quite good with those kinds of things, though. I'm sure you can handle it."

Snape inclined his head and spun on his heel to walk away, not failing to hear Lily's whisper. "Thank you for watching after my son, Severus."

He had almost made it to the stairs, but it wasn't meant to be. He once more found strong, muscled arms around his shoulders. He snarled at the taller man. "Son! Do you time this?"

Goku scratched his head, grinning sheepishly. "Selena wants you."

Severus sighed. "Very well. Lead the way, Son."

He followed the shaggy-haired Saiyan. Selena Subaru smiled. "Hello, Severus. I wanted to thank you for looking after Lianna." Hermione blushed and tried to move away, but the Ruroushan had a firm grip on her daughter.

Snape nodded curtly. "It was my pleasure, Selena. You and Lily were the only friends I had at Hogwarts."

Selena smiled a genuine smile. "Although that was more due to Lily, at first, I admit. She was right for trusting you," Her eyes took on a mischievous gleam. "Did you know I used to have a crush on you—"

Hermione's eyes widened. She shrugged her mother's grip from her shoulders. "OH-kay! Excuse me, mum. I think I hear Harry calling…" The teen strode away as quickly as she could, suppressing her pinched face.

The remaining adults exchanged smirks. Selena's eyes twinkled in amusement. "So, where were we?"

"I believe you were waxing nostalgia, Lady Subaru," Severus replied dryly.

Selena chuckled. "So, tell me about my daughter."