Another rather short chapter, and for that I apologize.

Once again I'd like to thank everyone who's read, reviewed, added this story to favourites and/or alerts :)

I've just come back from watching Deathly Hallows part 2. I have to say that, while I enjoyed it, I was a little disappointed.*Ducks barrage of assorted stuff being thrown* Part of me thinks that I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't seen it in 3D. (and if it hadn't been so hyped up) but that's just my humble opinion

III: What's a House Elf?

Lily Potter stepped out of the floo and put her shopping bags down on the kitchen table. The thirty four year old witch had stopped off at Diagon Alley after dropping her niece and ward Poppy off at school. She and James had decided to take her in three years earlier when she'd started displaying accidental magic. Petunia had blamed her for her daughter's 'Freakishness'- Lily had never been more disappointed in her older sister. Why should she love her daughter any less just because she was a witch?

Poppy attended a local Muggle Primary School- the same one that Robyn, Will and Teddy had attended before Hogwarts. It had been decided that the three young Marauders should have some concept of how to act around Muggles so as not to draw unwanted attention to themselves in the future.

Lily was just about to begin putting her purchases away when movement outside the window attracted her attention. A handsome tawny owl sat on the outside windowsill. Recognizing the bird as a Hogwarts owl, Lily had instantly asked herself: 'What has that girl done this time?' Lily loved her daughter dearly, but she was a little too much like James for her own good sometimes. She let the owl in, took the letter from its leg, and read the following:

Dear James and Lily,

I am not quite sure how to tell you this but late last night your daughter, and her three friends, William Black, Terrance Lupin and Percy Weasley sneaked out after lights' out again last night- the four of them have received detentions- but on to the point of this letter…

An eleven year old boy claiming to be one Harry James Potter was found by your daughter in the small hours of this morning. He has been questioned using Veritaserum and claims that he was raised by Lily's sister and her husband.

I feel it prudent that the two of you come to Hogwarts as soon as possible to assess the situation yourself and meet your son for the first time in ten years.

Albus

Lily didn't know that her knees had given out until her behind hit the seat of the chair. She was dimly aware of the parchment slipping out of her fingers. How could it be possible? How could Harry, her baby boy, have turned up alive and out of the blue?

Her next thought was that the letter was a hoax- a cruel joke; but who at Hogwarts would stoop so low as to attempt such a dirty trick? Even Severus, who loathed her husband, (and had yet to forgive her for marrying him), would not do something like this.

She knew that James needed to see the letter. She knew that they had to go to Hogwarts, and quickly. The only other certainty in life at this moment was that if it were possible- truly possible that her baby boy had returned from the dead- that no power on earth would keep her from her son.

Snatching up the letter and her wand as she rose from her chair- Lily dissaparated.

"And these" Robyn, who had been given the rest of the day off by Dumbledore, began, tickling a pear on a painting of a bowl of fruit, and opening the door which revealed itself. "Are the Kitchens"

Harry had given up trying to tell Robyn that he didn't need to be given a guided tour when she had started showing him secret passages that he had never dreamed of. The kitchens were huge, the size of the Great Hall- there were tables set out paralleling the four house tables and staff table.

"Welcome back Miss Potter and welcome Sir" they were greeted by a great number of small creatures with large bat-like ears and huge eyes, all of whom looked to be dressed in towline togas bedecked by the Hogwarts crest.

"This is my little brother, Harry" Robyn told the creatures. "He's new here and I've been given the day off to show him around. Harry, these happy little campers are the Hogwarts House Elves"

Harry gave his sister a questioning look.

"We can't stay this time, but my brother looks hungry"

The House Elves promptly disappeared, returning minutes later with spindly arms laden with edible goodies.

"Here you are sir and miss- please come back soon"

"We will- thank you"

The kitchen door closed once again and Robyn cast a spell on the pocket of her robes and began stuffing food into it- it all fit.

"Gotta love the engorgement charm" she grinned, offering him a toffee apple.

On taking the proffered treat Harry meant to say 'Thank you' but the words came out: "What's a House Elf?"

If Dumbledore was surprised at the sudden arrival of James and Lily Potter he gave no sign. He merely observed them over steepled fingers. James' hair was more ruffled than normal and Lily looked as though she had been crying. Had his letter to them done this?

"Albus" James began by way of greeting. "I take it you know why we're here"

Well what did you think?

Please R&R :)

A question for American readers: Why is 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' called 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' in the US?