An unusual thing had begun to happen within the walls of the castle soon after the first night of the return of the Snapes.
Minerva had asked to see Severus and Hermione a few weeks into their renewed stay.
"Hermoine, Severus - please, sit."
They sat in the tartan-covered chairs that framed the Headmistress' desk. The portrait of Dumbledor still snored peacefully above her head.
"Have either of you noticed anything... peculiar about the House Elves since you came back?" she asked them.
"Come to think of it, " responded Hermione, "it does seem as though there are more of them seen about..."
Severus nodded in agreement, as did Minerva.
"Yes, well, you see... that's because there are more of them - in fact, more than triple the number of elves reside here now than when you first arrived."
"Triple! Where did they all come from?" asked Hermione.
"Well, it seems that when their history was made known to us, and they accepted us as friends instead of masters, they spread the word that their freedom was nearing."
Severus chuckled a bit at that.
"I assume there have been queries from the Pureblood families?"
"Oh, yes," Minerva replied with a chuckle of her own. "In fact, the Ministry is beginning to look into the 'mass disappearances'".
"Well, we'll just have to continue to provide them with a place to come," stated Hermione with determination. "After seeing how Malfoy treated Dobby, I can't conceive of turning any of them away."
"Neither can I - I just don't know how we'll provide for them all without tipping off the Ministry."
"Oh, you shan't have to worry about that, Minerva," said Severus. "They are industrious beings, with much motivation. All we need to do is ask Professor Sprout to make space for a new greenhouse: they will grow what extra they need to remain out of suspicion, I daresay."
"That's a sound idea, Severus; I will ask their 'head' elf, whomever that may be this week - they take turns, you know, so none will be in power for too long - where they would like their growing space to be. Thank you."
With a smile, Severus stood, returning to their rooms, letting Hermione remain with the Headmistress to discuss next year's lesson plans over tea.