Chapter 3 – Suspicion or Deception?

"Boys come inside dinners ready!" shouted Molly from the kitchen as Harry and Ron were circling around The Burrow on their broomsticks on a fine sunset. Despite the Weasley family finding their home in complete tatters after the war when they were forced to go into hiding, it didn't take much effort for the repairs to the house to be made, especially after Harry had covered for most of the cost much to resistance of Mr and Mrs Weasley. He had to pay for the damages he thought. They did after all let him stay here on countless occasions much like now…not to mention the many times the made him feel welcome and part of a family in the past. The very least he could do was show his gratitude and Harry was glad that he did. The house looked as if it had never been touched by Death Eaters once it was all fixed up. If anything, it looked a lot cleaner and a lot sturdier.

"You know what; it's good to finally have some time to relax after being on the run for nearly a year. Missed being on this" said Ron tapping on his broomstick after he and Harry had dismounted.

"Like I've been saying for the past two weeks, it's nice to finally be normal" smiled Harry as he was carrying his Firebolt over his shoulder.

As they both entered the kitchen and set aside their broomsticks, they could already see the Ginny and Hermione tucking into their dinner while talking freely.

"Come on boys, the ducks about to go cold" Molly said producing plates from thin air and placing a wonderfully cooked duck and vegetables on to them as she rushed upstairs undoubtedly cleaning the house she is very fond of.

As Harry and Ron sat down at the dining table, they could see how anxious Hermione looked.

"…and to be honest I'm not sure that I would be comfortable with that" Hermione said to Ginny.

"Comfortable with what?" Ron asked, putting extra potatoes to his plate.

"Well what to do with next year? After all we did miss our entire seventh year and to be honest, I'd like to complete it".

"Trust you to be thinking about school straight after a war" Ron replied stuffing his face in.

"Well why not? We still have a future to think about…and will you stop eating so much?! Where are your table manners?!"

Harry laughed at his two best friends bickering. They all had come a long way since they first met on the Hogwarts Express in their first year. Especially Ron and Hermione's relationship. Arguing was always so normal but often an absolute pain in the neck for Harry to deal with…not to mention the many times where he felt like the unwanted third wheel.

"Oi geroff!" Ron mumbled with a mouthful of duck and potatoes as he shielded his plate from his agitated girlfriend.

"You must be looking forward to going back to Hogwarts when it's normal again Harry?" Ginny asked Harry while chuckling at the exchanges between her brother and Hermione.

Now that she asked, Harry realised that how much he was trying to avoid thinking about Hogwarts. It's still been exceptionally difficult to get over all the unwarranted deaths that had been brutally taken away. If anything over the past few weeks, he's tried his best not to think about it…he's not sure if he's ready to.

"I haven't really thought about it", he said as he was eating.

"There's been so much that's been going since the War ended with the funerals, briefing Kingsley about Voldemort's past, speaking to Kreacher about Grimmauld Place –"

"You've been speaking to Kreacher?" Hermione blurted out as Ron quickly scoffed his food free from her grip.

"Well yeah, I explained what happened with us and Yaxley and long story short, he realised that we weren't going to return so he attacked Yaxley and apparated to Hogwarts and was there ever since."

"Always warmed upto 'im, even though he was a git to begin with" Ron said with a mouthful of food.

"RON! What have I told you before, we need to treat house elves better!" shouted Hermione hitting him after each word.

"Oi calm it down, I just said that I've liked him for a while" he said shielding himself once again.

As the two were at it again, Harry was curious at what his house elf was doing. He hasn't seen or heard from him since they were last in the Gryffindor's boys dormitory. How was he doing at Grimmauld Place? He did realise that there are still Death Eaters on the run and suddenly a terrible thought entered in his head. What if some of the Death Eaters are hiding out in Grimmauld Place? Kreacher did say that he escaped Yaxley from there and has never been there since. What if the Death Eaters have been using it as another headquarters like Malfoy Manor?

"Kreacher!" Harry said clearly and hopefully.

With the sound of a pop, Ron and Hermione jumped in surprise as they saw the appearance of the rather tired elf.

"Master requested Kreacher?" the elf croaked.

"Are you feeling okay Kreacher, you look really exhausted", Hermione said leaving her seat before Harry had the chance to say anything as she went to her knees to be at eye level with Kreacher, who gave a little twitch at this.

"Kreacher…has been working hard for his Master", he said uncomfortably without making eye contact with her.

"Harry! How could you have not kept regular contact with -" she started before being cut off by Harry.

"Are you okay Kreacher? What's the condition of the house?" Harry asked.

"Kreacher has been working hard for his Master, for the noble house of Black…now Potter, was left in destruction."

"What? The house is completely destroyed? Is it still standing?"

"It is standing still but was savaged inside by Dark Magic. Tapestries, the heads of Kreacher's ancestors and Kreacher's old mistresses' portrait are no more. But Kreacher has been working hard for his Master and Kreacher is close to fulfilling his Master's wish."

Kreacher stood his head low with Harry very unsure of his emotions. After all, he knew how close Kreacher was to his old mistress, Walburga Black, who had her portraits fixed permanently. At the same time though, Kreacher did say he's been working hard for him…question is, what was it and would he like it?

"Can we go see it?" Harry asked him.

"Kreacher is close to fulfilling his Master's wish. But Kreacher still has work to do. Kreacher needs something from his Master's friends", he said with his face still facing the floor.

Ron, Hermione and Ginny gave Harry perplexed looks to which he returned likewise.

"What do you need from them Kreacher?"

"Kreacher is wanting to surprise Master Harry".

What is that he wants Harry thought? Their relationship had improved a lot but they haven't seen Kreacher for quite a while. He was alone when Yaxley invaded Grimmauld Place. Was it possible that he was influenced by Dark Magic again? Is it possible that Kreacher could be deceiving Harry? Did he really escape from Yaxley or did he work with him? He had after all deceived Sirius when he was his Master. Before he could question any further, Hermione had interjected.

"Of course Kreacher, we're happy to help! What do you need?" she said enthusiastically going back down on Kreacher's level with Ron looking uneasy behind her at this suggestion.

"Kreacher would like to speak Master's friends.. alone", he said very slowly, his head still pointing down.

Harry was still feeling uneasy, especially as Kreacher spoke cordially for the first to Hermione which he has always struggled with before. Almost as though she could read his mind, Ginny walked over to him and simply said, "Don't worry about it. Leave us with Kreacher and I'll meet you in Diagon Alley later on".

With a little peck to his cheek, Harry agreed and reluctantly made his way to fireplace where he was about to use the Floo Network to reach his destination. With one final look at his Ginny, his friends and Kreacher, whose face was still facing the floor, he shouted;

"Diagon Alley!"