Weighed down with numerous shrunken parcels they finally headed back to the castle and got the elves to put away their purchases and pack for the school year while they went to play some wizarding chess determined to one day beat Ron.

Chapter 18 - Back to School

It was now the 4th of September. The Potters were just resting from the Potter Family trials they'd just completed. 4 days of gruelling physical and magical obstacles, the elves were so pleased In reality they should be at Hogwarts and not performing that test untill at least in 5th year but everyone agreed they were ready. While the elves were more hesitant not wanting their only masters to die. But they did agree to it, even Feekey who loved her mistress to pieces. As they exited the door that the trials hid behind they felt a new surge of magical power wash over and enter their bodies. The magic was warming and accepting reaching muscles they didn't know they had so neither felt any need to shake of the magic and they knew it wouldn't harm them, since the Castle wards wouldn't allow any harm to its inhabitants. Especially it's Master and Mistress.

So it was on September 6th that they finally packed up their things to head back towards school 6 days late.

Feekey transported them from castle entrance to castle entrance. Immediately their things went up to the Gryffindor dorms. They timed their arrival perfectly in order to arrive when everyone was in class so they weren't bombarded with questions about their delayed arrival to school.

They went up to the dorms grinning as the staircases moved to accommodate them and the Fat Lady swung open without a password. Though she did inform them of the password for a big group of people being them had it's perks. Of course in large groups these perks will be less visible but still there.

They parted ways and walked up the stairs to where their separate dorms were. Mind talking to each other as they unpacked their things and got organised for lessons the next morning.

That evening at dinner Harry and Ginny were among the first to arrive dressed in crisp school robes. They sat down opposite each other close to the Teachers table and piled food onto their plates. While Ginny dished out carrots and potatoes Harry filled two goblets for them each one of tea and the other water. Then while she sipped her tea Harry placed meat on her plate before topping it with some gravy. The pair were already digging in by the time more people arrived and the Great hall begun to fill up. Ron and Hermione obviously joined them and unsurprisingly they didn't hold back on the questions bombarding them instantly.

"Where have you been!" Hermione shrieked hurting his eardrum

"Away" Harry responded rubbing his hurt ear commenting silently to Ginny that she reminded him of Molly last summer. The comment caused her to giggle which she managed to efficiently hide by taking another bite.

"Where?" Ron asked with his mouth full earning him disgusted looked from them all. Harry swallowed the sip of water he just took before answering

"If you got our letters then you'd know"

"But they were so vague" Ron moaned shovelling food into his mouth. However Hermonie nodded

"But we expected you back on the 1st not the 6th" she said so quickly and sudden it was in one breath

Smiling Ginny answered "Sorry about that we had a task to do that took a little longer that we'd hoped" her innocent comment made Harry smirk and rub his leg against hers while cocking his head a little however he did pretend to agree

"Yup but we're here now and ready for our lessons" he said placing his cutlery down on his plate. While the others were still eating he pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill

Dear House Elf's,

I would like to thank you for providing us with delicious nourishment while we are here to learn.

I was wondering last year there was this curry we had that I rather enjoyed if you would be open to either teaching me how to make it myself or giving a copy of the recipe to one of the Potter's elves - they are our friends not servants. I promise to keep it close to my heart. Thank you.

Lord Harry.J.Potter

Lord of the most ancient and noble house of Potter.

As he finished writing the letter he folded it up, wrote 'Dear Friends of the Kitchen' on it before placing it on his plate. Tapping it with his wand caused it to vanish and a smile to spread on the faces of himself and Ginny.

"Did you really just do that?" She asked him with mild annoyance and a long sigh thinking back to the night they were talking over dinner getting to know simple things about each other like their favourite foods and colours as well as what they enjoy.

"Why my Lady, I did" he responded in what looked like mock pompousness to those around him but normal speech for them.

Pudding was sent up soon after they finished their fill of the main course. A letter arrived next to his water goblet with a different scroll. Helping himself to some treacle tart while Ginny reached for a slice of chocolate cake. He opened the letter.

Dear Lord.H.J.Potter

It would be an Honor to give one of our recipes to your elves.

However we would like something in return. A long time ago a elf couple married yet the next day the male elf was taken away by an evil master. His wife hasn't been the same ever since. We would grant your wish if you can find an excitable elf called Dobby.

Hogwarts House Elf's

Re -reading the letter Harry frowned deep in thought

"Can I see Harry?" Ginny asked him silently he passed it over chewing on his tart.

"Wait is this the Dobby?" She asked

"I think so"

"We can find out after dinner" she told him. Since over the summer they had a lesson on house elves which eventually lead to Harry bonding with Dobby since they learned elves without a master will die sooner which neither wanted feeling attached to the elf that tried to save their lives.

"Harry, Ginny" William started "for people of your class it's only fitting you understand other cultures. Like mermen, dragons and most importantly in Britain house elves. Feekey is going to teach you today about house elves."

"House elves today are the cause of one greedy nobleman back in the 1600s. We used to be completely different until he wanted to own us for his pleasure and ease. He mistreated his elves"

Ron of course went for as much as he could while Hermione only had some yoghurt and fruit. Once they'd consumed their pudding he put some fruit on their plates which finished off their dinner for the night. Ron and Hermione joined them in their quest of finding the missing elf after being informed at dinner what it was about.

They walked down into the depths of the school until the reached the painting of the fruit. Tickling the pear absently they walked inside.

"What would Sir's and Miss's like? Food? Drink?" One elf asked

"Chocolate cake?" One offered far off

"No thank you I was hoping to speak to the elf that was mentioned in this. Dobby's wife" Harry said holding out the letter

"Oh" the elf said taking on a saddened expression "Poor Milley never the same" the elf said sadly. Before turning around to find milley "I find her yous sits" he told them so they sat down at one of the side tables

The elf returned with a second behind him.

"This be Milley" he told them before leaving them alone. Milley was dressed in a smart dress like cloth with a Hogwarts crest on its breast and back.

"Milley we might know where Dobby is but can you explain him to us so we can confirm it is he who we think" Harry explained to her pointing at himself and Ginny. The Elf brightened immediately and started explaining

"He was different to most. Excitable, liked socks, he was overall different to others but that's part of his charm" Milley explained "he was very loyal to his master and did as asked blaming himself if he did things wrong" Milley explained

"Milley thank you" Harry hugged her with a large grin on his face.

"Dobby!" Ginny called out

"How does Dobby serves mistress, master." Dobby said quickly though part of it was cut out by the crack that signaled his arrival

"Dobby!" Milley cried and rushed to hug him.

"T-Thank you master!" Dobby said in shock hugging his wife for the first time in years as fat tears of joy rolled down his cheeks holding his wife in his arms for the first time in decades.

"That's okay Dobby. I don't want you working for the rest of the week get reacquainted with each other. You won't be split again I will talk to the headmaster if needed" he was cut off by the sudden force of Dobby and Milley hugging him. Dobby pulled Ginny in as well

"Yous good masters" Dobby cried

"It's okay Dobby I'm just happy to see you so happy" Ginny said patting Dobby's head fondly making the elf beam. Eventually they managed to leave the kitchens and make their way up to the common room.

"What were they?" Hermione asked horrified

"Those Hermione were house elves"

"Slaves"

"No Hermione house elves love their jobs. They pride themselves on making their master or mistress happy. If you give them clothes you free them but freed houseelfs struggle to find work and are viewed as failures their magic needs to bond to a master or mistress otherwise they weaken and eventually die." Ginny explained sadly

"But their still slaves"

"They are only treated as such if their master is a miserable old coot. Before the 1600s there were more laws regarding them and were a point of pride in all wizarding families across Britain. However in the 1600s one politician wished to cut corners. He manipulated the old laws to make it legal to not provide enough care and have a loophole to allow him to legally abuse them. We want to bring back the old laws but it will be slow."

"What's the difference"

"Old laws bring benefits to you and your elves. When treated with kindness the elves worship you and so you gain additional things you didn't expect. But the elves are also healthier, stronger, wiser. Some get days off but are catered to their needs with mainly the elder elves needing a break." Harry quickly explained before they dropped the subject allowing Hermione to think.

They played some chess with Ron defeating Harry and narrowly defeating Ginny. Hermione had her book as they talked before heading up to bed around 10.