Angel on Campus Keeperoliver Chapter 12
Harry looked at the clock on the wall. 6:30. He got up, and threw a robe on. He saw Ginny lying on her bed. He took in her beauty as he opened the door to got help out Kreacher with breakfast. With the one final look, he closed the door.
Ginny heard Harry as he closed the door, and got up to put her robe on as well. She went to the bathroom, and did her morning ritual, with her potty break, brushing her teeth, and her hair. Then left the the room, and bumped into Hermione. She hugged her dearest friend. "Ginny, do you know what today is?"
Ginny thought for a minute, but, drew a blank, "Haven't the foggiest Mione, but I'm, sure you will remind me."
"What's the date?"
"Once again you've stumped me. Mione will you please stop questioning me, and tell me what your talking about?"
"It'd July 31st. Harry's birthday."
"SHIT!"
"You forgot Harry's birthday, didn't you? Fine girlfriend you are, or should I say fiance. Come on, let's go wish him a happy birthday."
They got to the swinging saloon doors and stopped when they heard Harry and Kreacher talking at the table.
"Thank you Master Harry, for asking me to join you at the table. Kreacher is honored that he asks me like he was he equal."
"Kreacher, you are more than equal, you are my friend. You are a part of my family."
"But wasn't Dobby Harry Potter's friend? Don't you miss Dobby?"
"Of course I miss Dobby, but, what has that got to do with you being my friend?"
"Sir, if you could have Dobby back, would you like that?"
"Yes Kreacher, I would like to have Dobby back, but, having you here, takes away most of the pain. You have been very loyal and faithful to us. I would not give that up for anything. You have filled the hole that Dobby left, when he died."
"Master Harry, I can bring Dobby back, if you want him back?"
"How Kreacher? What would it take to bring Dobby back?"
"I could bring Dobby back, Master Harry, by crossing over. When I cross over, while still alive, I can have another elf take my place."
"What do you mean by crossing over? Do you mean like dieing?"
"Yes."
"Then the answer is no. I miss Dobby, but, I will not want him back, if it meant you sacrificing your self. I am fine with the way things are now."
"But sir, it is only a matter of time before I has to cross over. If I can cross over while I still live, it is the greatest honor that can be bestowed upon an elf. It has not been done in over a thousand years."
"How old are you Kreacher, and how old do house elves live to?"
"Kreacher is 185 of your years, sir. There are some house elves who live to be 400 years."
"So you are saying you could live another 215 years, and you want to give that up, so that I could have Dobby back? NO, I will not let you do that. Kreacher, do you understand the meaning of family?"
"No sir, Kreacher does not. He has never been a part of a family. He has been cared for in the past, but, never as part of a family. Is this important to humans, sir?"
"Very important Kreacher. It is sharing you life with the ones you love. It is living your life caring for those you chose to be a part of you. When I asked you to be a part of my life, as a member of my family, I meant it as a family member, not as a servant of my family. You will never be a slave as long as you live with the House of Potter. You are Kreacher Potter, and if I have to let the the world know this, in order for it to become so, then so be it."
Kreacher had tears forming in his eyes. He had never been treated like this. He was never shown love, to this magnitude. He was never considered as a member of a family. Master Regulas was the only one who showed him any true caring, but, was never thought of as Family.
When Harry reached across the table and took Kreacher's hand, a brilliant golden glow surrounded them, and the house began to shake. Kreacher began to shake.
Then there was a loud pop, and a third person was sitting at the table with Harry and Kreacher. The golden glow subsided, and Harry and Kreacher looked upon the visage of Dobby. No, not the visage. It was truly Dobby, sitting there, looking around as if he was wondering what had happened. He saw Kreacher, and smiled, then he saw Harry, and screamed, "No, Dobby has failed in his protecting of Harry Potter. Dobby is so sorry sir. Dobby is wishing he had done more to make sure you would live sir. But, why is Harry Potter with me, instead of with his loved ones? Dobby is confused. Harry Potter couldn't have crossed over. It is impossible for wizards to cross over. Please, Harry Potter, sir, help Dobby to understand what this all means?"
"Dobby, I wish I could explain what it means. All I can tell you is, that I am not dead. Kreacher explained to me about crossing over, and how he could bring you back. When I refused, and made him a member of my family, a golden glow surrounded us, and then you were sitting there."
Dobby listened to this, and was confused. He was ready to speak up again, when Hermione and Ginny stepped into the room. Hermione took this moment to try and explain what she felt happened. "Harry, Dobby. I think I can explain what happened. With Ginny and I working for the Unspeakables, we come across some very interesting happenings. Something like this happened, like Kreacher said over a thousand years ago. It was like he said. A house elf was given the honor to cross, while still alive, and this allowed another house elf to cross back. What was not known is, if the house elf that initially crossed over had been made a member of the consenting family, then the returning elf could come across, without the switch."
Ginny then took over, "Harry, what you must understand is, until you came along, no house elf has ever known love from a wizard. It was a new concept to them. With Dobby being the first house elf to ever be loved. He was also the first elf to sacrifice his life for a wizard, who did not own him. When Kreacher was willing to sacrifice his existence, to allow Dobby to come back, and you refused, and made him a family member, it set a precedence never seen before. Elves are an ancient and noble race, Harry. They were not always slaves to the wizards. Yes, there are free elves, but, not always by choice. Dobby was not only a free elf, but, he was free by choice, and made a friend, by the one who helped him to be free. When you prayed for Dobby at his grave, you set another precedence. No one had ever grieved for a house elf, other than another house elf. No wizard had done so. The final precedence you set Harry, was when you refused to let Kreacher cross over, it was not for selfish, cruel or vindictive reasons. It was for truly caring about him. In short Harry, Dobby was returned because you have shown love to both Kreacher and Dobby, and have been honored by letting Dobby return as he was, rather than waiting to be born again."
James and Lillian walked into the kitchen to see another house elf, and Lillian smiled and ran to the newest elf, and pulled him into a hug. Dobby grinned , as he was twirled around by Lillian. "Hello sir, my name is Lillian, what is your name?" She said, as she put him down?"
"Hello Miss Lillian, my name is Dobby. I is very pleased to meet the daughter of the great wizard Harry Potter, and his chosen Miss Ginny."
Ginny was blushing, and Harry laughed as Lillian answered, "Dobby, Harry is my cousin, and Ginny is not my mother, although I wish she was, or should that be, she soon will be? This is starting to get confusing."
Luna was the next to come through the swinging doors, and upon seeing Dobby, she rushed across the kitchen floor to take him in her arms and hugged him like he had never been hugged before. "Dobby, it's about time you made it back. I was beginning to wonder if you would ever get here."
"Luna, you knew Dobby was coming back?" Harry asked in a low voice?
"Yes, Harry. I felt it the moment you buried him. It was like someone was telling me it would happen, but, asked me to remain silent, because it had to happen in it's own way, with out interference. Harry and Kreacher had to become family in truth, not essence, in order for that to happen. Oh, Dobby, it is so good to have you back."
As the rest of the family began filtering in, and the explanations made, they all sat down to breakfast that Kreacher and Harry made, and enjoyed this time together, as a family.
The rest of the day went by, as Harry filled in Dobby what has happened for the past four years. Dobby cried about the reason for the four year separation. He cried about the deaths of all who he had known. He laughed at Harry telling him how he found James and Lillian, and was thrilled when Harry told him about Angel. This was also a first time hearing about this from George, Rolf, James, Lillian and Kreacher. Dobby just said, "Harry Potter is still the same. Dobby was always proud of the greatness of his saving people. Dobby hopes he never changes."
"Not as long as I live Dobby. I now know, that by saving people, I have brought back one that I missed. I wish I could bring back more."
AoC-}
That evening, they celebrated Harry's birthday, which he had forgotten all about. The past week was a whirlwind, that left him little time to think about such trivial things as birthdays. He was glad to be sharing it with his friends. They had asked Molly, Arthur, Percy, Bill, Fleur, and Ron to come over and help celebrate, and they all came. Ron asked if he could bring Pansy, and Harry agreed.
When Pansy arrived with Ron, she went and sat in a corner by herself, but was there less than a minute, when Harry came over, and took her hand, and brought back to his family. She looked at him, "Harry, we were never friends in school, as a matter of fact, I was always insulting you. Why are you showing me such kindness?"
"Pansy, that was like five years ago. It's water under the bridge. Ron has been my best mate, and if he brought you here, it must mean he really likes you. How can I not treat Ron's chosen any different than I treat him? Just don't do him wrong, is all I ask?"
Pansy looked into Harry's eyes, and saw something she never saw before from him, caring. He really cared about her. She pulled him into a hug, causing George to choke on his drink, "Shit Potter, have you no morals. Ginny and Ron are right here, and here you go flirting with another pretty face. Ginny, I forbid you to have anything to do with this Lothario." He had to take cover as ten pillows were launched at his head.
Ron pulled Harry off to the side, "Thank you Harry for still calling me your best mate, and for accepting Pansy like you did. Oh, to let you know, you got an unexpected birthday present. It seems that Neville and Hannah had a visit from the stork, about two AM this morning. I think you should go see them."
"Thanks Ron, I probably should."
AoC-}
The next morning, Harry left the kids in the care of his babysitter, and took Rolf and Luna with him to work Rolf sat in the dining area, while Harry showed Luna his operation. She was impressed at the spotless work area. It was separated from the kitchen, to avoid the grease from the cooking going on in there. She helped Harry prepare cinnamon rolls, biscuits, croissants, donuts, danish pastries, and other assorted breakfast goodies. They took a tray out to the dining area and saw Hermione and Ginny sitting with Rolf. They laid their trays down, and everyone joined in. Rolf was not embarrassed as he took several treats, and started to devour them. Ginny and Hermione were a little more subtle at first, but, Ginny lost it with her first bite. She soon had a pile that matched Rolfs. Hermione remained her same neat self, but, closed her eyes as she ate three of Harry's croissants. "Harry, do you mind if I take some of these to work with me. I want the others to see what they are missing. Yes, Harry, I want to make them jealous, alright."
When it was time for the girls to leave, Harry had a large box for them to take with them. He kissed Ginny, and Hugged Hermione, and sent them off. He then went in to make sure everything was off, before he joined Rolf and Luna for their visit to the administrator's office. They had to fight their way through the crowd wanting to get to Harry's treats, before their favorites were all gone. Luna was shocked by the amount of people that were fighting over his baked goods. "You weren't lying when you said over half the population of Cambridge came for your baked goods, were you?"
"Luna, I never lie. I may stretch the truth a little, but, never lie. And, you haven't seen the mad rush yet. Not every one is up yet. That was why we baked so much this morning. That and I knew we would be busy."
They finally made it to the Administrator's office. The Secretary looked up, and saw Harry and smiled brightly at him. "Morning Harry, have you got something for me?"
Harry handed her two cheese danish, and she looked like she died and went to heaven. "You sure do know the way to a woman's heart, Harry. And who have you got with you. Hello my name is Anita."
"Anita, this is Rolf and Luna Scamander. They are friends, and I brought them here, hoping to find them positions here?"
Anita sucked in her breath. "Uh, Harry. I don't know if you are aware of this, but, the Dean levied a hiring freeze on us. Richard will probably talk with you, but, I'm not sure there is anything he can do."
"Well, will just have to go see. Come on guys, let's go see the man."
Harry knocked on the door, and Richard called them in. He beamed at Harry, and stood up to shake his hand, "How's the God of Flour, Sugar and Spices this morning?"
Well, I was doing great, until I got the news from Anita. A hiring freeze? Damn, Richard. OI was hoping to get my friends positions here."
"Harry, there are ways to get around anything here. Why don't you tell me there names, and what positions they seek?"
"Well, this is Luna, a very good friend from school, and her Husband Rolf Scamander."
"Wait, Harry, did you say Scamander? Are you any relation to Newt Scamander, the nature writer?"
"Yes sir, I'm his son, but, might I ask how you know of him? He writes some very obscure material."
"He certainly does. However, we have asked Newt to do some research for us in the past, and he has proved to be a valuable source of information. If you are anything like him, and I am sure you are, we do indeed have a position here for you. Because of Newt's findings, we have opened up a field that has shown very much interest. We were trying to find the right person for a Professorship in the field of Exotic creatures. We tried to get your father, but, he is getting on in age, and is considering retirement. Would you be interested in this position?"
Rolf' heart began to flutter. It had always been his dream to have an opportunity such as this. To teach others his knowledge. "I would be very interested sir. Are there any restrictions that I need to be made aware of?"
"A few. One is that you must be able to travel to strange lands. You must have the ability to speak many languages. You must be willing to take on apprentices. And you must have someone to on staff vouch for you. That last part seems to be taken care of. Now Harry, this doesn't leave this room, so I want you to do something for." And Richard took his hand, and made a movement, like he was waving something around. Luna giggled, and whispered in Harry's ear, "Harry, he wants you to place a silencing charm on the room."
Harry couldn't believe what Luna just said. He looked to Richard, and Richard just nodded. Harry took out his wand, and placed the muffliato on the room. Richard just grinned. "Thank you Harry, I presume it's safe to talk now?"
"Yes Richard, but, how did you know?"
"About magic. Harry, England is home to some of the greatest wizards of all time. Merlin is the first one to come to mind. Morgan LeFay another, of course she was a witch. And yes, Harry, we know of the founders of your school. And we know of you Harry. What you have done, and what you have gone through and lost. That was why we wanted so desperately to keep you here. We also think it was you who was going around as the Angel. For that Harry, the school was most grateful. Now, I assume Luna is also a witch, correct? Yes, so what have you in mind for her?"
"I would like for Luna to become my assistant."
"Oh, so the God, needs a Goddess. excellent. Luna, if you wish, you can start tomorrow morning, Rolf, it will be a while longer for you, but you should know by Wednesday. Now Harry, did you bring me anything, I'm starving?"
Harry presented Richard with two large Caramel Pecan Rolls, which got Richards mouth watering. Harry also gave him a half dozen Croissants, for his wife and children. Richard laughed, because Harry always remembered to bring something for the rest of his family. "You're a life saver Harry, and I mean that both Literally and figuratively. Now get out of here, and let me eat in peace, and get on with my work. Luna, I hope we see you tomorrow, and Rolf, I hope to see you Thursday."
They all shook hands, and once they were out of the office, Luna gave Harry a hug, that took Anita by surprise. "Harry, you got her a job, didn't you? What about Rolf?
"Yes Anita, I got Luna a job, and will find out Wednesday, we hope about Rolf."
"You are the only one who could have pulled this off Harry. You're a charmer, you are."
"Thank you Anita. Now. we must be going, we have taken up to much of your valuable time."
The walk home was a happy one for the three. He dismissed the sitter, and called for Dobby and Kreacher, and called for the kids, and they all gathered in the kitchen for a family talk.
About five o'clock Ginny and Hermione popped in, excited. He looked at them both.
"Harry, you need to be sitting down, as what we have to say may astound you."
"Hermione, as you can plainly see, I am sitting down. Now why don't you join us, and you can tell us all about it."
"Wha! Oh yeah, good idea." And both girls took a seat. "Harry, Ginny and I worked together today, for the first time in months. Harry, we made a great discovery. You're not going to believe it. Tell him Ginny."
"Harry, Sirius was not dead, when he went through the Veil."
"Ginny, I already knew that. He was hit by a stunner."
"Do you know what that means Harry. He was not dead, when he went through, which means he is not dead now."
"WHAT!"