Chap 9 – Directions
It was Ron who first stood-up, unconsciously straitening his robes then pulling out his wand and gripping it tightly in his right hand. He marched up to Harry and directly faced him and placed his wand hand to his heart. "VOLDEMORT!", Ron shouted, saying that name for the first time in his life without the barest of hints of stuttering or stammering. Coincidently, Ron's wand actually sparked silver for a brief second, which was obscured to the rest of the room."
Harry nodded to Ron, who was making way for Hermione. Taking the same position, Hermione more quietly, but far more evenly said, "Voldemort." Her wand also briefly sparked silver.
Mr. Weasley was next and actually grabed Harry's shoulder in a fatherly fashion with his left hand while saying Voldemort's name. Squeezing hard he then moved aside for Molly.
In spite of the tears that ran thickly down Mrs. Weasley's face, her voice could not have been clearer. Pulling in Harry to a quick hug she stepped over to Ron and held him tightly in her arms. Ron never flinched with a boy's natural hesitance to receive overt affection from his mother. Instead, pulled her close and comforted her.
Lupin whispered to Harry as he approached "And the student becomes the master, eh?", before completing the impromptu ritual. Moody, stood more erect than most believed him capable at his turn. By the time McGonagall drew near to Harry she was completely changed from this morning. Tonks irrepressible humor manifested itself as she said "Voldemort" with a wide grin on her face and eyes twinkling.
The remaining wizards one by one filed before Harry and said Voldemort's name without falter. It not until the last wizard, the wealthy looking one Harry had noticed earlier, stood before him, hand on chest and wordlessly sounding out Voldemort's name. His head began to dip as he realized he couldn't say the name. Harry just smiled and said, "Why are you ashamed? You have just learned the most important lesson anybody can learn and now can live your life free of doubt. Unlike thousands of others you know exactly who you are at this point in your life." Reaching out with his hands and placing them on the wizard's shoulders. "That is not to say it is who you will always be. You know where to find us should you ever want to."
It was as if a great weight was lifted from the man, he bowed repeatedly and thanked Harry each time. Meeting the sympathetic eyes of the rest of the Order, he excused himself and made his way out the door.
Harry deeply bowed his head to the remaining gathering and solemnly promised, "As long as I have breath, I shall work to bring about a better world for all of us." Raising his head, he asked for a moment of silence to honor the passing of the Order of the Phoenix.
"Now to business.", Harry said respectfully. After everyone was seated again, Harry motioned to a young wizard he didn't know to take some notes. "First, nothing changes Ron, Hermione, and I am leaving in three weeks. Second, we need a new Secret Keeper. I would have brought two new recruits but since when Dumbledore was murdered no one new can be brought into the fold. I suggest it should be Minerva."
McGonagall raised her eyebrows for two reasons, she wasn't exactly sure that she approved of Harry's new familiarity and she immediately appreciated the wisdom of his recommendation. "As I will be firmly ensconced at Hogwarts for the foreseeable future it makes sense. Last June aside, it is very unlikely that Voldemort will break through it's defenses any time soon."
"Is everybody in agreement then?" Harry asked. Noting no dissent they moved on.
"Third, we need a leader, someone to organize things and I again recommend Minerva." Harry offered.
This time the response was different from McGonagall. "No, I have other pressing matters that would preclude me from dedicating the time to serve as I should." She said resolutely.
Accepting McGonagall's refusal in stride, "Then the next most logical person would be Arthur Weasley." Said Harry.
Most everyone had expected Harry to recommend Moody, with his years of Auror experience and having much the same allure as Scrimgeour; a hard man for hard times and all that. Sensing the confusion around the table Harry added, "Voldemort will not be defeated by force alone. We need allies and contacts and some special assistance from other's fighting against him. Arthur is deep enough within the Ministry of Magic to be heard, but not seen. If anyone else voiced these opinions they would be reviled and their loyalties questions. As Arthur has spent a lifetime true to his beliefs, no one can question his sincerity. We are looking for sympathetic ears, where ever they may be."
The wizards all nodded their assent and it was duly noted by the young wizard.
"That being said, the hard part now begins. We have to find our own way through this to the end, because there is nobody else who will do it for us." Harry concluded.
The group broke up with various murmurs about have to get back and other places that people needed to be. Harry pulled McGonagall aside and spoke confidentially with her. "I need a couple of things from Hogwarts. First a couple on new teaching positions need to be opened up at Hogwarts and don't worry about it they already have a salary." Harry quickly outlined his abduction by Dr. Randels and Col. Franklin. He expressed that if they were clever enough to get him, maybe they could help out. He didn't tell her about much of what he said, but he felt the exposure between the two worlds may yield something helpful. McGonagall was doubtful but agreed for her own reasons that were growing quickly in her heart. Next, I need to talk to you about house elves.
As soon as Harry moved away from McGonagall she was swamped with several others seeking information.
He then walked over to Ron and Hermione and simply said "First, I guess we should start making plans"
Ron looked back at Harry then at Hermione then at Harry and responded, "First we need to play some Quidditch."
Between the Order members there and a couple of others that could be called for they would have two complete teams. Harry was pleasantly surprised to find all his stuff waiting for him in the hallway. Apparently, Moody or Lupin had gone back and retrieved it from Dr. Randels. So he grabbed his Firebolt and made for the door. Moody stopped him before the handle was turned. "First, how to hide yourself, then Quidditch" Moody said with resolve.
The three looked at each other and obediently went back to the study for lessons. Within three hours, they learned the fundamental spells necessary to function within the Order of the Phoenix, oops, Stag, as they kept reminding each other. Moody showed them how to perform a dissolusionment charm and how to use their Patronus' to communicate with another member. They were amazed at the brilliance of this suggestion, because you would always know who the message came from as Patronus' couldn't be faked. In the next three hours they reviewed all the hexes, curses, and jinxes they knew. Moody, then later joined by Lupin, both proved to be excellent teachers. There was little wonder at the end of the day why Dumbledore had once selected them both.
After a solid six hours of casting, the three begged Moody and Lupin to give them a break so they could get something to eat and bleed off the effects of insufficiently blocked spells. Before raiding the kitchen, they all agreed that to commit three hours a day to practice, regardless of the other preparations over the next three weeks. Lupin quietly winced at this thought, knowing that for at least one week he would miss out.
Long after dinner the three sat around the table exchanging stories of growing up at Hogwarts. Each laughing at the others foibles the conversation remained light throughout. It was as if they needed to reinforce the connection they shared to steel themselves for the coming period.
Finally Harry excused himself and went to find his bed. Tired, but not exhausted, his mind whirled with all that had happened today. He didn't doubt the decisions he had made that day, not that lacking doubt made them any more correct he inwardly joked. But they were the best he could do given the situation. After taking a shower and then getting in bed, he quickly fell asleep.
- - -
Harry took two stairs at a time the next morning. It was like he felt like he had direction in his life and it propelled him forward. Passing the door, he heard the familiar tap of someone wanting to enter. At first Harry didn't see anyone and thought it must have been his mind playing tricks, but as he closed the door he happened to look down and see Dobby nervously twisting his hat in is hand. He was dressed as garishly as ever with a bright orange shirt, and pants that had yellow and black vertical stripes. Welcoming him in but shushing him to be quiet, they entered the kitchen to talk. From the looks of things he had some cleaning up to do in there.
"Harry Potter, sir!" squeaked Dobby, "I have come to inform you that this house's elf has recently passed on."
So Ketcher was dead, the thought effected him more that it conceivably should have. Maybe it was because Harry still linked Sirius with Ketcher and brought back many memories, both good and bad.
"How did it happen?" Harry asked not really wanting to know.
"Potato salad, Harry Potter sir." Said Dobby whose ears dropped slightly almost like he felt it was his fault.
"What? I didn't catch that last part Dobby." Said Harry shaking his head slightly.
"Ketcher was a bad house elf, always trying to put things into students food or to talk to Draco Malfoy." Dobby continued with his nervousness only increasing.
Harry had never thought of this, what if Ketcher was helping Draco? Being distantly related to the black family it might have been enough to push the bounds of his order. Remembering his first meeting with Dobby, he had told Harry a great deal, even though he had proportionally punished himself.
"Did he reach him?" enquired Harry.
"No, Harry Potter, sir. On Dumbledore's orders he was kept in the kitchens at all times." Said Dobby.
"Oh well then thank you Dobby, I appreciate you coming all the way out here to find me." Said Harry forgetting about the potato salad reference.
"No problem at all, Professor McGonagall told me how to reach you so Dobby came immediately!", said Dobby in a animated voice.
Staring at eachother for a moment Harry asked, "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Hunching so far over that he almost became a ball, Dobby said in the quietest tones he could, "I would be honored to become your new house elf, Harry Potter sir" The sight was slightly incongruous in Harry's mind. Harry knew that Dobby almost worshiped him, yet it seemed that Dobby was doing this more out of duty that his personal wishes.
"It is interesting that you mention this, because I just had a conversation last night with Professor McGonagall about the nature of a House Elves' servitude. Apparently it can only be forged by a debt of service owed to the house by the elf. In the past you have mentioned that you believe all house elves own me a debt of gratitude for initially stopping Voldemort all those many years ago. Do you still believe this?" Harry asked while closely watching Dobby's reactions.
"Yes," squeeked Dobby.
"And you must realize that should you bind yourself to this house you will probably never again be able to leave it. The nature of the secrets here are such that none may ever know." Harry said in a somewhat blustery voice.
"Yes," squeeked Dobby even higher in pitch than before.
"Knowing that you will have to leave all the freedoms you now enjoy, never to see any other house elf again, no matter your connection with them, that you will have to relinquish the clothes you currently wear!" said Harry expansively.
"Yes," squeeked Dobby so high that the only entity that heard him was a stray dog currently walking past Number 12 Grimmauld Place looking for food.
"Then I ask you this question Dobby of the house elves. Will you bind yourself and all your kin to the fate of the Noble House of POTTER!", Harry now yelling.
Each fraction of a second stretched an eternity before Dobby totally collapsed within himself and forced the fateful word out, "No!"
Quaking at the anticipated tirade of indignation from the savior of the House Elves, he beat himself inwardly for letting down his entire race.
"Good." Said Harry happily. "I was quite hoping for a woman's touch to be honest. Would you happen to know any house elves who are looking for a new home to bind to?"
Without any semblance of an emotional transition, Dobby eagerly said "Winky is! Winky would love to bind to Harry Potter's house!" With a crack he was gone.
Sitting down and sighing to himself, he noticed Ron and Hermione entering the kitchen from the door to the study. "We, um, overheard your talk with Dobby." Gingerly ventured Hermione.
"I know, I know Hermione I am a slaver now. I am the worst scum that ever walked the earth and SPEW members will burn me in effigy for the next 1000 years." Said Harry very tired.
Ron and Hermione exchanged wordless glances and it was Hermione who bent down next to Harry kissing him softly on the cheek. "They're not all ready for SPEW yet. Just be kind to her." Hermione said gently.
About an hour later, during their practice session, Dobby reappeared with a freshly sobered up Winky. Waiting for them to pause, Winky nervously stood in front of them not knowing what to do next.
Harry, having an opportunity to think about this walked up to Winky. "I am offering you the choice to bind to this house or to return to Hogwarts. Before I receive your answer Sirius once told me that men often drink in order to fill a hole in their souls. If this binding will do this, I agree to it; if not, I will not allow it?" Harry said solemnly.
Winky's eyes were almost coming out of here head at this point, bowing deeply she said, "All other bindings are past. All other commitments are done. I pledge to the sacred trusts and bonds that first lay between wizards and house elves, to my ancestors whose spirits will protect your home, and to Harry Potter. I will faithfully serve you until relinquished from this duty."
"And I accept" said Harry.
A calm seemed to come over Winky at hearing those words. It was as if her universe made sense again.
Dobby, however, was ecstatic. He was jumping up and down and making little shrieking noises. The study being too small to contain his glee, he bounced right out of the door and continued to make an unearthly racket in the hallway. This triggered a series of chain reactions. Mrs. Black immediately began to shriek and scream even louder than Dobby. The entire house seemed to reverberate with her disgust and loathing. Dobby initial attempts to quell the painting only made it worse so he stated punishing himself by banging his head soundly against the banister, resulting in a gong like sound that only infuriated Mrs. Black more.
"No more, no more, just make it stop." Harry called out exasperatedly. In a flash, Winky was there. One quick snap of her finger and Mrs. Black's shouting ended. Furthermore, she strode up to Dobby struck him in the back of his head with the flat of her palm and exclaimed, "This is Mr. Harry Potter's house and you will behave yourself, and that includes no punishing yourself." she added anticipating Harry's next request.
In the sudden quiet, Winky pulled up her tea cozy to make it more presentable and politely asked , "Would anybody care for lunch?"
"That would be fine." Harry said in a shocked tone. "About a half an hour then?" he added.
Winky, obeying immediately, whisked around and went into the kitchen.
It was right then that one of the most amazing things that has ever happened to Harry Potter occurred. A very awed Dobby approached Harry, raised his head to meet Harry's eyes, placed his right hand over his heart and said, "Voldemort" without flinching at all.