Thanks for the reviews. I read and appreciate all the well-intentioned comments and observations. The ones that aren't, well you can just shove them right back up your ass.

Again, I apologize for any mistakes the chapters might have and am grateful for your patience. I hope you continue reading the story.

I'd like to thank: solesse, Ruth01, Guinn Pern, Arolen, AnnF, DestenyEntwinements, Eyeinthesky, moony103, DebsTheSnapeFanNow, Setg'-in, Sevvie lover, Lady Foxy Roxy, animealam, Ditzy 1978, Queen Narca, Silver-bule-55, Jbuggenz1, and Padwan jaq-AQ

You're really cool about sticking with the story and reviewing.

Harry Potter and Co. belong to Rowling (I think I'm learning to accept that now.)

Chapter 7. Outbursts

As he was still hungry, Ron decided to tag along to the kitchens. Talking about everything that had happened the day before had gotten his stomach rumbling for more food. Harry wasn't too crazy about the idea. He had wanted some time alone but Ron was either too thick headed to get the hint or he just didn't care.

Ron wasn't the smartest fellow in the group but he had a heart as big as his appetite and he was truly worried about the events on the train. He could still not reconcile Dumbledore's reasoning in putting Harry under Snape's protection the night before. The Headmaster was one of the most respected and intelligent Wizards he knew which was exactly why his decision to ask Snape to protect Harry was so odd. The Headmaster knew that Harry and Snape did not get along. Snape had taken it upon himself to make Harry's life impossible since the time the Slytherin had laid eyes on his friend. As for Harry, well he couldn't stand to be in the same room with the Potion's Master, so what was up with Dumbledore.

Ron had voiced his opinion to Hermione and she had accused him of being disloyal to the Headmaster; the girl had even threatened not help him with his homework if he so much as mentioned it to Harry. Ron had been shocked into silence at least for now.

"Hey Harry there's Dobby!" shouted Ron as they rounded the corner that led to the kitchens.

"Dobby! How are you?" asked Harry walking up to the little elf.

"M—HARRY Potter!" said Dobby rushing forward.

"Hi Dobby! What's new?" Ron asked watching the elf.

"My socks, Mr. Weasley."

Dobby's answer was rewarded by Ron's hilarious laughter.

"Ron! Stop it!" Harry didn't like people laughing at Dobby though he couldn't stop from smiling himself.

"No silly! I meant-"

"Forget it Ron. He's confused." Harry said looking at the elf's face.

"Harry Potter drank all his potions." Dobby asked leaning in closer. Harry was about to answer when Ron interrupted.

"What Potions?"

"The one's Madame Pompfrey gave me." Harry said lying.

"Oh, those."

"Yes, everything is fine Dobby."

"Dobby is very happy to hear that. Has Harry Potter eaten? Is Harry hungry? I can get Harry Potter something to eat." Master Snape had given Dobby very specific responsibilities concerning Harry; one of them was to make sure he ate more.

"Yes, I have and no I'm not."

"Hey let the little guy get you something." Said Ron.

"Ron I'm not hungry."

"You don't eat enough. You hardly ate last night."

"Oh please Ron!"

"I was there. Dobby get him something to eat we'll be by the lake." Said Ron.

"I'm not hungry!"

"Harry you hardly ever eat. I think-"

"Bloody hell Ron!" shouted Harry.

"You're my friend I worry about you!"

"Yeah right the great Harry Potter."

"You're a moron. You're not that great and you'd still be my friend even if your name was-" Ron answered angrily.

"Severus Snape?" asked Harry grumpily. Really, Ron never let up.

"You know what I mean!"

"Ok, Dobby get me a pear. We'll be by the lake. Ron are you gonna want something?" Harry answered giving in, what was the use Ron would only insist.

"I'll want more than a pear that's for sure! Are you fasting for some kind of strange reason or something! No wonder you're so skinny mate." Ron did not know when to quit.

He unlike Hermione did not tip toe around their friend. He called them as he saw them.

"Ron lay off will ya! Dobby I have to go I'll be seeing you ok." Harry really did not have to go but he wanted this conversation to end.

"Dobby will get you the pear." Said the little elf as Harry disappeared around the corner near the door.

Ron stayed behind to give Dobby a list of what he wanted for a snack.

"Ok. Dobby you heard the Master" said Ron bowing sarcastically as Harry walked away.

"How did Mr. Weasley know?" Asked the elf whipping his head around in surprise.

"Know what?" asked Ron biting his fingernails worriedly. A pear! One freaking pear! What was Harry trying to do? Make himself disappear!

"That Harry is one of my Masters," answered Dobby in awe.

Ron stopped in mid chew. What had the elf just said? Had he heard right?

"HARRY IS WHAT?" asked Ron in complete shock.

"My MASTER" Dobby answered.

YOU'RE WHAT? OH MAN! HARRY! HARRY, COME BACK HERE! Ron shouted after Harry but his friend was already too far away to hear him DON'T YOU MOVE! YOU STAY RIGHT THERE! Ordered Ron before he took off, after his friend.

Dobby was obliged to follow Harry's orders; however, he was under no obligation to follow Ron's. The little guy quickly disappeared after making a pear apparate in Harry's pocket.

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Twenty minutes later Ron finally got a hold of him. Harry was furious he had had a run in with Malfoy and Snape. The bastard had taken thirty points from Gryffindor and had given Harry a week's detention with Filch for arguing with Malfoy.

"Harry wait I just found out something!" shouted Ron running after Harry who was walking towards the lake.

"Ron can we talk about this later I'm too angry right now." said Harry without stopping.

"This can't wait. Come with me! We have to go somewhere private!" said Ron grabbing Harry by the arm and pulling him along.

"What's up Ron you're freaked out!"

"This is big Harry!"

"Bigger than Snape taking 30 points from Gryffindor and giving me a week's detention with Filch!"

"Thirty points! What ever for!" asked Ron stopping to look back at Harry.

"Fighting. Longbottom was being picked on by Malfoy again, the son of a bitch was trying to take Trevor. I had to do something! I mean—"

"Ok Harry! You had to do something! I get it! Now come with me!" Ron said dragging his friend impatiently back to the kitchens, unfortunately Dobby was not there.

"Ron what's up you're really weird right now." Harry said looking at his friend strangely.

"Just wait 'till I tell you what I found out." Ron said going to Fred and George's secret place in Hogwarts. He didn't want anybody listening in accidentally or not.

Harry followed wondering, what in the world could be so important. He was having a hard time keeping up with Ron's longer strides but Ron did not slow down for a minute. The red head was stressed out about something.

After a couple of turns into areas, other students would consider restricted. Ron and Harry found themselves in a small room which must've at one time or another been a kind of potions classroom. Harry had finally discovered Fred and George's secret potions lab.

"Ok Ron Can you tell me what you found out that needs this much secrecy." Harry said waving his hand around the lab.

"Harry what do you know about house hold elves and how they bond?" Ron asked panting, his freckles standing out.

"I did a lot of research in my second year. You know for Dobby."

"Tell me what you know."

"Ron what is it?" asked Harry exasperated.

"Bloody hell! Just humor me Harry!

"All right!" Harry shouted getting a funny feeling in his stomach.

"There are eight basic rules that govern household elves." Began Harry eyeing Ron warily.

"Go on…" prompted Ron.

"Well…..

First, household elves being magical creatures can only be bound to magical families, meaning elves cannot be bound to a muggle family.

Second, an elf would have to take an oath to be in the service of a family and that oath would be honored by that elf's offspring.

Third, the oath has to be given and received willingly.

Fourth, the elf has to take the oath before the head of the household.

Fifth, only the head of the household can release an elf from his or her oath by presenting that elf with clothes. That almost never happens.

Sixth, no elf can knowingly cause any harm to any wizard.

Seventh, the elf owes loyalty to the members of the household he or she is bound to, but it is the head of the household who has the last word on any final loyalties.

Eighth, any promises and or conditions established before the oath taking will endure until the elf is set free." Finished Harry.

"Listen closely Harry because I'm having trouble believing this myself.

Dobby just let it slip out that you are one of his masters." Ron said looking straight at Harry. Harry looked at Ron and could not believe what his friend had just said.

"That's impossible Ron." Whispered Harry in disbelief.

"I know but it's true. If the rules you just gave me, still apply. That means that if what Dobby says is true, then you belong to a family and that family has taken Dobby as their house elf."

"But I don't have any family Ron. Sirius is not recognized as my guardian thanks to Pettigrew. My Aunt and Uncle are Muggles; an elf can not be in the service of a non magical family." Harry explained. He had a family and it had been kept from him. Why!

The memories of the summer came back to him; the insults, the beatings, the abuse, there had been no reason for it. Except for Ron and Hermione who had suspected from the very first year, no one knew about the Dursley's treatment or did they? He had cast glamorie spells on himself every year but Albus was a powerful Wizard surely more than he was. How could he not have seen through them. Harry had always thought himself lucky now he wasn't so sure. Albus Dumbledore knew everything! How could he not know about that too!

What was being planned that required him to spend his teen-age years in the company of people who hated the mere sight of him. People could not stomach to sit at the same table as he. What plans were being made and more importantly, who was doing the planning. One name echoed in his mind, Dumbledore!

Harry did not notice himself falling to his knees nor did he register Ron in front of him calling his name. Instead, he felt a rage slowly building inside. All that pain, Sacrifices! Sacrifices! That son of a bitch! That fucking son of a bitch had been playing him. He had a family and Dumbledore knew! How could he not, the bastard knew everything! Dumbledore had let him live with his Aunt and Uncle and their psychotic abuse! And Dumbledore knew about the abuse just like Harry was sure the Bastard knew about his new family. And who was this family! Who! Who! Did they not want him either! Why would Dumbledore keep it from him? Why! To keep him desperate, WEAK, STUPID! WHAT A FOOL HE WAS! THE BIGGEST FOOL IN THE WORLD!

HE'S LOSING IT! OH MAN! WHAT DID I DO! I SHOULDN'T HAVE TOLD HIM! Ron thought trying to bring his friend back. Harry was hyperventilating; his eyes shut tightly his hands holding his head, Ron saw tears running down his friend's cheeks and felt like crying himself. Harry needed help. Ron got up to get help but he was knocked down by strong sense of foreboding, he looked around startled and then looked at Harry, HARRY'S GONNA BLOW! Was all he could think.

Harry rocked himself back and forth seeking some kind of comfort from someone from anyone. He had been alone for such a long time his magic repressed by his upbringing. Harry and his magic sorely needed someone to love and to nurture them and that someone had been denied because it hadn't been in the plans. Something deep inside Harry broke loose unleashing an energy that whipped around the room with wild mournful fury.

Ron covered his head with his hands as old vials, cauldrons and desks started smashing against the walls. He looked at his friend who rocked himself back and forth and knew that Harry was causing this. Unable to do anything Ron, inched closer to his friend and waited for the storm to pass.

Ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Stupid prat! Snape thought wondering if Harry was ever going to toughen up. The brat was always standing up for worthless weaklings like Longbottom. Let Malfoy have a go at him; the Slytherin needed his target practice.

Snape had come upon a scene that had sent shivers down his spine.

Harry had drawn his wand on Malfoy and all over who and what? Longbottom and his toad! The scene had taken him back to the accident in the potions lab. Snape was not surprised by what he saw but he was disgusted with Harry's Gryffindor heart, it would get him killed sooner or later and Snape along with him.

He had given Harry a week's detention with Filch, let the squib handle him for a week. Malfoy he had naturally let off. He did not particularly like Draco; the boy was just too Malfoy but Draco was his Godson and he wasn't going to punish him because of Longbottom of all people. It was Harry's bad luck thought Snape as he walked away painfully from the three boys.

If black magic came in looks, Snape would have died right there; such was the hatred in Harry's face when he heard the one sided punishment.

After taking all and any potion he could find to ease the pain in his sore limbs and head, Snape lay down and hoped a Mid-evil plague would strike Albus Dumbledore where he stood. Snape sighed he knew he wouldn't be so lucky. He closed his eyes to sleep when an intense pain struck him; a pain that made him cry the same way he had when his father had murdered his mother.

Dobby stood outside Snape's rooms, heard his master weeping, and braced himself for the worst.

Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Albus was going over what Snape and he had discussed. Things had gone well considering the circumstances. Snape would require close watching. Albus had made up his mind. As soon as Harry's magic was grounded, Snape would have to be eliminated. Albus could not risk Harry becoming too emotionally or physically dependent on Snape. In a matter of years the Potions Master would outlive his use.

Ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

Later that day four and not three names were drawn for the famous Wizarding's Tournament. The fourth name belonged to Harry Potter.

Sorry it took so long but I have had to work over time all this week and had very little chance to work on the chapter. Thanks for your patience.

Thank you Neocane for your help and patience.