24.
"So, did you think of any place, Harry?" asked Hermione, running her finger around the edge of her tea mug the next morning.
Harry shook his head. "I'm sorry guys, I still don't believe it's Neville."
Ron sighed, "Harry, we've been through this. Since we don't know for sure, we should just keep moving."
Harry nodded, but still didn't want to. He liked it here, it felt...right.
"Harry, we have to ask him about the locket. Maybe we should write a letter." Hermione suggested.
Hermione nodded, "But in code."
Harry nodded, already thinking of this. Ron stood up, stretching. "Well, while you geniuses figure out the next ten years in advance, I'm going to get dressed, something normal people do in the morning."
Hermione smiled. "You saying that thinking isn't normal?"
Ron smiled and kissed the top of her head, "Not in the morning, love." Hermione rolled her eyes, and followed him upstairs.
Harry, alone in the kitchen, began the letter.
Licking it sealed, after checking it with Hermione first of course, (" 'locket' is not spelled 'lokket', Harry.", "See, I told you people shouldn't think in the morning!" reminded Ron.), he sent it off with a rented owl.
Later that day, while Harry, Ron, and Hermione were having lunch, Harry asked Ron what was so important just a few days ago.
"Fwat?" asked Ron brightly with a mouthful of food.
"What was it you were about to tell us, right before we left the apartment near Slughorn's."
Ron rolled his eyes, apparently remembering, "Oh, that-"
But an owl flew in. They all stopped what they were doing, looking at each other. Who knew they were here?
Harry ripped open the letter. "Harry, this owl is from Hogwarts." said Hermione, observing the stamp on the owl's leg.
Harry glanced at the letter, and laughed, and laughed, and laughed. Ron and Hermione stood there, dumbstruck.
"You think there was a Cheering Charm on it?" asked Ron out of the corner of his mouth to Hermione. She shrugged and got out her wand, thinking of a few counterhexes.
"Or maybe he's finally cracked," suggested Ron as he watched Harry attempt to control his breathing.
Harry, shaking his head, began to read the letter aloud:
'Dear Harry Potter sir,
Dobby is so sorry he hasn't written in an awful long time! Please forgive Dobby sir!'
Here Harry stopped so Ron could catch his own breath from laughing.
'Dobby writes to Harry Potter because Ginny Weasley, a very nice girl, wrote to Dobby, sir, asking Dobby to watch a Professor Edgurg.'
All three shared a look clearly saying What?
'Dobby is proud to help a friend of Harry Potter's, sir. Most pleased indeed!
Dobby would like to tell Harry Potter that Dobby is now engaged!'
"What?" yelled Ron and Hermione. Harry smiled as he continued:
'Winky has gotten all sobered, and Dobby and Winky became very good friends, so we's decided to get married last week!
Dobby would be most honored if Harry Potter could come to the wedding, and even bring Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
Of course, Dobby understands if Harry Potter and his friends can't come, sir. Dobby forgives Harry Potter if this is the case.
Goodbye!
Dobby'
Harry looked at Hermione, "We can't go, can we?" Hermione, biting her bottom lip, shook her head slowly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Harry." she said meekly. He simply nodded. So this was what saving the world cost...
"Well, that would've been interesting. Winky and Dobby, can you imagine the kids? He'll probably name one or two after you, Harry." said Ron, trying to lighten the mood.
All three smiled at the vision of little elves wearing tea cozys for hats and pillow cases, chanting 'Harry Potter sir!'.
Harry took out some parchment, and started his second letter for the day. This Professor Edgurg was somebody Harry wasn't familiar with, and he didn't appreciate others bossing around his Dobby.
LOVED writing that. How was reading it?
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