Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever own Harry Potter. It is the property of JK Rowling and her associates. No monetary or material profit was gained from this story.

Inheritance of the Elves

Chapter Four

Home

George smiled as he saw his little elf's face lit at the picture of the house they had shown him. They'd left Number 12 and hid out at the shop until Stonebrow had a chance to owl them the key. It was a truly gorgeous sight to see that smile. In that moment, George wished that Fred and George were his mates. Harry was just . . . he didn't know how to describe him. He was just so … him, entirely unique. It made his heart ache to know that the people that Harry was attached to weren't going to love him like he deserved; to know that Harry might die because of them.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he smiled at Harry and offered his arm. He smiled and took it. A moment later and they were standing outside their new home.

It was beautiful. The stones that the home was made of looked natural and the subtle difference in the colors made it all the more perfect. The door was a beautiful walnut and ivy grew up the side next to it. The wildflowers in full bloom and it was truly amazing.

They watched as Harry stood stock still for just a moment… Then he was off like a rocket, racing towards the front door. The twins gave chase and were only half way there when he had thrown open the doors to the home. He spun round on the hardwood floor trying to take in everything. There was hearth with a landscape of the forest hanging above it, the mantle just waiting for pictures. The deep red and earthen tones gave off the same comfort as the Tower and Burrow.

He moved from the front room to the kitchen, smiling at the cozy table by the window that looked out over the woods. Then he rushed from the kitchen back to the hallway off the front room. On the left there was a bathroom and the stairs up to the attic; on the right were their rooms.

He kept dashing off to see what else he could find. When he'd finally explored everything in the house with the twins chasing after him, Harry turned around and smiled the most dazzling smile; it took the Weasleys' breath away.

"I'm finally home!"

The next couple of weeks was pure bliss. They took walks in the woods. The twins made great use of the potions station in the basement, sending plenty of letters to Lee about possible new products and how the shop was doing. The elves, Taffy and Toffee, were amazing cooks, especially of sweets. They were incredibly protective of their kitchen though, so the three wizards learned not to touch anything that wasn't the floor or the table.

The attic of the cottage had quite a collection of books; Harry spent a lot of time up there, trying to find more information about his abilities. He was really wishing that he'd thought to bring the book that the twins had first showed him along.

Sighing, he slammed his current book closed and shuffled down the stairs to the hallway. Looking around he found George sitting in the front room, scribbling random product ideas down on some parchment.

"I'm going to take a walk down through the woods, fix my hair?"

George nodded at him, absently, before plucking his wand from the table and turning to look at him more fully. He carefully swished his wand and viola! His look was changed. Maybe not enough to fool everyone. But enough most wouldn't notice.

George stared at him for a second longer. Almost like he was mourning the change in Harry's appearance. And there was the blasted ache in his chest again. Throwing out a quick, "bye!" He rushed out the door.

Harry walked outside along the tree line, the wind tossing honey-blond hair that was a part of the glamour, thinking about all the dismal things that had happened during the last few weeks. The Order had waited several days before going public with the fact that the twins had 'kidnapped' him. Now they had to wear glamours or use the cloak or Harry's new power. But he loved the forest too much to just watch it's going on from a window in the cottage, especially when it was so close.

It was in his very nature to want to be in among the trees and brush and wildlife. The smile on his face grew larger as he reached the top of a small gorge; the trees were thinner here, and the wind could whip around him. He had a strange impulse to … hoot. It was odd but he went ahead and did it anyway.

There was a moment of silent waiting, in which Harry felt very stupid, then out of nowhere a very beautiful barn owl landed on a branch in front of him. He was breathtaking!

He stared for a moment and was about to say something when there was a rustle and a man stepped out from the shrubs.

"There you are!" he stated reaching towards the bird before he noticed Harry.

"Well, hello… I didn't know there was another elf living around here. I'm sorry to encroach in the area," he said sincerely.

Harry wasn't sure if he was working for the Order or not so for the sake of keeping the three of them safe he pretended to not have a clue what he was talking about.

"What do you mean? Magic and elves and stuff don't exist, mate," he said as though he was an unknowing Muggle.

"You do not have to lie. I know the signs. I can assure you that I am not in contact with the Light or the Dark if that is what you are worried about. I'm Nimbus," he said as he lifted the owl onto his arm. Harry took a long look at him and came to the collusion that he was in fact telling the truth.

"Harry." He beckoned for Nimbus to follow him as he made his way back towards the edge of the wards that were now in place. As they walked they talked about mundane things, mainly the man's beautiful owl; he told the other about Hedwig in return. Harry had just passed through the wards, dropping the glamour as he did, and the other man crossed right after him. An instant later Fred and George were standing in front of them and Harry was yanked over to them and then pushed behind.

"Who are you?" they asked coldly. Harry rolled his eyes and pushed his way into the middle of the group.

"He is an elf like me. He says he is not with either side and he is telling the truth. I was going to invite him to lunch before you two brutes decided to be overprotective," said Harry with a smirk while Fred and George huffed.

"Fine," Fred acquiesced reluctantly.

Together they all walked back to the house, where the house elves had made an amazing lunch, even if it was only sandwiches and crisps.

Harry watched as the twins and the man bantered back and forth about prank ideas. He had long blonde hair, reminiscent of Malfoy's, tied back with a strip of worn leather, his boots were made of Dragon hide and his jeans and tee were well worn along with his denim jacket.

Eventually, lunch had to end; so twins ran off the basement to hash out a few ideas that Nimbus had brought up, Harry led him out to the edge of the property.

"Congratulations on having two mates. I never knew it was possible." He commented.

Harry jumped at the statement, looking around to make sure Fred and George hadn't back upstairs for something, "Quiet! They don't know, and never will… They aren't interested in men. I don't want them with me because of pity or of sense of family. I'm just their little brother," he replied sadly.

"Harry, you have to tell them. It's not fair for them not to know. They are going to find out eventually, and if you die from heartbreak it will break their hearts too." Nimbus said staring straight into Harry's eyes and saw the guilt that was there. Nimbus knew that he would not have any problems about getting Harry to talk with a guilt trip, but that was wrong.

"I am their brother, they love me in that way, and that way alone. They deserve the chance to choose their own path. And, besides, who would want to be in a relationship with two of their brothers. I am as close as I can get and that will work for now." Harry as he stood on the edge of the ward line, staring down at the wildflowers.

Nimbus shook his head sadly. Harry was only going to see that they loved him if they told him themselves.

"You won't tell them… will you?" He asked, still staring at the pale purple and blue flowers.

"Elves keep other Elves' secrets," the elf said back to him. They both stood there awkwardly for a moment. "I guess I'll head out. See you around, Harry."

Before he could go, Harry reached out and touched his arm. "Um…. Nimbus, I wanted to ask you if you would be willing to come back and help me. I have no one else to teach me…I want to be able to use my powers without wondering if I did something wrong or that I might hurt someone."

Nimbus gave a wry smile and nodded to the younger elf. Harry smiled wide. He leaned forward and quickly wrapped his arms around the tall blonde.

Nimbus looked down at Harry and asked, "When do you want to start?"

A/N: I hope you like all the changes that are going on, cause this isn't the last of them. I took out the whole new language bit, because it didn't really feel right to me. Harry already has parseltongue to deal with, he doesn't need any other language to deal with.