Author Notes: Thanks to all the readers and reviewers. Answers/replies to questions and comments are/will be posted at www fanfiction net/topic/135718/89507238/1/

Thanks to Oh I am Slain for the constructive criticism. I will keep it in mind as I review and write new chapters. Tempted as I now am to start rewriting I will refrain as that'll only end up delaying the next chapters. Fraid I'm not that familiar with the whole process to find a beta. Till I started posting this story only thing I had done here was read stories. I'm certainly not opposed to the idea of having someone proofread my chapters so if you or anyone wants or knows of someone willing to do it let me know.

Updates over the next five weeks maybe less frequent due to personal then work travel plans. I've got a buffer of new chapters written but they still need a lot of editing and checking before they are anything like near ready.

Previous Chapter - 8. Slytherins: During flying lessons Harry helps Hermione and Neville, a bullied Millicent Bulstrode is injured and taken to the hospital, Draco insults Hermione and almost instigates a fight. At Harry's insistence Draco apologises. The Gryffindors decide to start a self study group to practice self defence. At dinner Draco attempts to curse Harry but ends up hitting a bowl on the staff table losing a large amount of points and popularity. In potions class Hermione helps Millicent and invites her to join their study group.

Update 14 July: Many thanks to Aletheya for proofreading this chapter.

Chapter 9 - House Elves

After dinner the four friends made their way down to Hagrid's hut. Since the start of the term they had managed to visit once a week though usually during a free period.

"Bit late for yeh four ter be down here ain' it?" Hagrid stated as he let them into his hut.

Hermione answered for the group, "We have been rather busy with study. We have less than an hour before curfew so it has to be a short visit this week. Sorry, Hagrid."

"Nothin' ter be sorry abou', Hermione. Always nice ta see yeh. Come in. Come in. I'll put the kettle on."

After they were settled and cradling their massive mugs of tea, Hagrid turned to Neville, "Were speakin' with Professor Sprout about me pumpkins. They need some care and she told me 'bout yeh, Neville. Dab hand with the plants. Think yeh could take a look at em?"

Neville flushed, nodded and started to rise.

Hagrid put one hand on Neville's shoulder to stop him and Neville went a little pale as he was forced back onto his chair. "Nah, too dark now. How abou' on the weeken'?"

Neville nodded, rather relieved as Hagrid's massive hand released its pressure, "Eh... Sure Hagrid."

Harry, Hermione and Ron all chuckled.

Soon, the conversation turned to their normal classes and then on to their first flying lesson. Ron related to Hagrid what happened with Hermione and Neville adding the occasional comment. Harry just listened, quite interested to hear how the others had seen it.

"Glad yer didn' get into a figh' then." said Hagrid. "No poin' gettin' yehself 'urt. Yeh gotta watch yerself around 'em Slytherins Harry. Plenty o' those kids parents wouldn' be too happy 'bout yer."

Harry nodded, "We're going to practice some defensive spells tomorrow. We need to, since Professor Quirrell hasn't taught us anything."

Hagrid shook his head, "'e can' be as bad as all that Harry."

Ron laughed, "He's worse. Scared of his own shadow, he is."

"Doesn't know much about the subject either, only what's in the textbook. I've asked him a few questions and all he does is avoid answering." Harry was of the personal opinion that it was more than a few and Hermione certainly didn't take well to having her questions not being answered.

Hagrid shrugged, "Dumbledore wouldn' 'ave hired 'im if there had been anyone better."

Harry sighed, "Don't think he could have hired anyone worse though. Even Binn's class is better."

Ron grinned, "Maybe we should get Binns to teach us."

"Oh imagine that. We would spend every week learning how to protect ourselves from Goblins." Neville groaned lightheartedly.

Everyone laughed.

After taking another sip of tea, Harry asked Hagrid, "I do wish we had a better Potions teacher. I think the class could be quite fun if Snape wasn't there."

"Professor Snape, Harry" Hermione said.

Harry just rolled his eyes, "Hagrid, how long has Snape been working here?"

Hagrid thought about it for a bit, "Started 1981 'e did. Professor Slughorn retired just before Christmas."

'He started mere months after Voldemort was defeated and you were orphaned. Interesting. Thank you, Harry.'

The conversation moved on to more of Hagrid's stories about what was in the forbidden forest before Hermione noticed the time and the four sprinted back only just making it to the tower as curfew begun.

-my-friend-tom-

Everyone agreed that the first session of their self defence study group went excellently, even if it had been rather tiring. Harry had to veto Hermione's plans quite a few times, as she seemed to think that it'd be possible to cover half the first year syllabus in a single session. Eventually, Harry set Hermione to researching a list of spells that would be useful and decided to wing the first session with Tom offering to help him come up with exercises as they went along. As it was, Tom only suggested a few minor improvements, otherwise leaving Harry to run it as he saw fit.

Harry started off by teaching them all a simple stinging hex, then separated the group into two teams and alternated one group attacking whilst the other dodged. He decided from the very beginning to not focus on one on one exercises, stating that if they wanted to learn formal dueling they'd be better learning it elsewhere. After watching the groups scattering, he took a moment to discuss it with Tom and then used an advanced charm to create two large glowing circles that hovered a foot about the grass and asked each group to remain within their circle whilst they attacked or dodged. The glowing circles were centered on a pair of small rocks that the charm was cast on so a little later he mixed up the teams and charmed the rocks to slowly roll around, asking the teams to try and remain within the moving circle as they continued the exercise. He put off Hermione's questions about the charms by telling her that such discussions should happen after the study session. That discussion never happened.

During one of the breaks, a small table appeared with cool drinks and light snacks. This, of course, brought up the question of how he had managed that particular feat.

"How is simple, I didn't create the food. I just arranged earlier to have it prepared and delivered by the House Elves."

Hermione asked. "Are they invisible? I didn't see them."

Parvati spoke up, "Nope, just very good at keeping out of sight. Part of their duty is to remain in the background and they are very good at it. Petal, my house elf, delivers my clothing in the morning in person because I asked her to, but everything else generally is done when I am not looking."

"You have your own House Elf? Are they expensive?"

Parvati shooked her head, "It's not exactly mine but the family's. We have four. Petal actually looks after both me and Padma. Not expensive to maintain, but I think it can be expensive to buy one these days."

Hermione looked confused, "Buy? What do you mean? Don't they work for you?"

Parvati nodded, "Yep, since before I was born and I don't know the details. Might have been born into our family. They are very nice."

"I don't follow. You buy their contract?"

'As amusing as this could be, Harry, it's time to put a cork in this. Offer her a book, that'll shut her up.'

Harry gave a mental sigh but, since he didn't actually disagree with Tom, he did cut Parvati's reply off, "Probably easier if I find you a book that explains the whole House Elf-Wizard relationship, Hermione. It's less employment and more a symbiotic relationship."

Hermione furrowed her brows in thought.

Noticing that, apart from Ron, everyone had paid more attention to the discussion than to the drinks and snacks he continued, "Everyone make sure you have a drink before we get back to it. Don't want you collapsing. Next, we'll learn a shielding spell that's effective against a few basic jinxes."

"What about if they cast a Hex or a Curse?" Dean asked.

"At the moment, dodge. We'll work our way up to shields that can block or deflect curses but they are a lot harder. Later, we can work on specific counters but you'll need to learn to confidently recognise spells before they are useful."

"Do you know them?"

Harry nodded, "I know a few and I'll teach them to you as soon as I can. Please keep that information to yourselves though." He caught everyone's eye as he said that and was happy to see them all nodding.

He paused and added, "Also I don't even want you talking about it even amongst yourselves unless you are outside. Even the walls in the castle have ears here. Literally. The portraits don't just move. They listen. As do the ghosts."

'You could always have them swear an oath or sign a contract.'

"I'd prefer just to trust them for the moment and I don't want to scare them off. I'll keep that in mind though, if we get to the point where I want to show them something that's a bit more private."

By late morning the group had some success getting the shield to work. Both Tom and Harry considered the progress good. They ended the session with a free for all foot race where the only spells allowed were the jelly legs, leg locker jinxes, their counters and the jinx shield. In revenge for working them so hard and because he told them he didn't mind, Harry found himself being attacked non stop and Lavender Brown ended up winning to much applause.

-my-friend-tom-

Harry spent the afternoon chilling out near the lake with Hermione, Neville, Susan, Hannah and Ernie Macmillan. After Ron joined them, they soon switched the topic of conversation to their Transfiguration homework as none of them were that interested in chatting about the recent Quidditch games. Ron soon wandered away to play fanged frisbee with his brothers.

The conversation wound down and the six found themselves lightly dozing and staring at the sky. Tom, for some reason, decided it was about time to continue the discussion about Professor Snape.

'Okay, Harry. You wanted the story, so here goes.

Severus Snape was in the same year as your parents and for many years was a close friend of your mother, which was unusual as he was Slytherin and she was Gryffindor. Their friendship lasted till sometime during their sixth or seventh year. He joined the ranks of Voldemort soon after finishing his study at Hogwarts.

When Voldemort decided to target your family, believing as he did that you were the one spoken of in the prophecy, Snape pleaded with him to spare the life of your mother. Which indicates that he still had strong feelings for your mother long after their friendship ended.

I am unaware if I ever learnt any details of his relationship with your father, but if I did I no longer recall it. Given their Houses - your father was also in Gryffindor - I assume that the House rivalry was a significant factor. It is possible that it is jealousy that you were not his son or misplaced anger directed at your father that is generating his current disfavour of you.'

"He wanted to be my father? Ewww.. I don't want to think about that."

Tom sighed, 'I think you have missed the point. Let's just say I think his anger at events during his youth with your parents are the reason he treats you as he does.'

"But they are dead."

'Indeed. But that is not the point I am making. I had hoped to discuss this when you were calm. Maybe being drunk on sunshine and good company has addled your senses. Let's revisit this another time.'

"Okay, Tom. You're the boss."

'I've already told you, Harry, that... never mind. Have a nap and I'll wake you when you need to get everyone up.'

-my-friend-tom-

Harry crept up to then peered around the corner. The corridor ahead was deserted so he took a few deep breaths before making his way carefully along it. He was slowly getting used to the strange vision provided by his glasses. Everything directly in front of him was dimly lit, like what you would expect if there were windows and it was an overcast day. However, past the edges of his glasses everything was pitch black, his peripheral vision was totally useless and it felt rather disconcerting. He found himself twisting and turning his head a lot and Harry's neck was starting to feel the strain.

'Good, Harry. This is the door. Check for wards in the hall first.'

A few minutes passed as Harry whispered incantations. Some of the spells he had to cast a few times till Tom was happy with the results.

'Okay, put up the silencing wards.'

Two more muttered incantations.

'Better. Now check the door.'

Harry went back to work casting detection spells. This time he spoke in a more normal voice, which made it a lot easier for Harry. He was very excited, he was on a real adventure now. He was a little surprised when he found nothing more than a basic door knock ward which he easily disabled by adding a new short stasis charm on top of it.

'Okay, Harry. Your Alohomora should be more than enough to open the lock on this door. I'm going to start talking once you cast it and, if at any point I go quiet, pay careful attention to where you are standing at the time, cast the detection spells we discussed and get out. If I still haven't replied within two minutes after that then lockup, remove your charms and make you way back to your dorm and try calling me there.'

Harry really wanted to say he already knew all this since they had gone over it already a half dozen times, but he knew that would just gain him another lecture in proper preparation so he satisfied himself with a muttered, "Okay, I got it."

After casting the unlocking charm he entered the room, Tom talking softly in his mind.

Later, back in bed, Tom was mulling over what it might mean that they could find absolutely nothing that seemed to have any effect on Tom or be in the least bit unusual within the classroom.

'It could be an artifact that he carries around with him. Possibly something defensive in nature. Another option could be that he casts specific wards on the classroom before the lessons begin.'

"So how do we go about finding out?"

'Carefully. It is possible that his bumbling nature reflects more his inability to teach rather than his lack in skill as a wizard. Pretending ineptitude can be a useful defence. Detecting an artifact or magical item in a magic filled environment is a difficult skill to master so we will start with you learning how to cast the ward detecting spells silently.'

"But that's really hard. I can barely get them to work when I whisper them." Harry couldn't stop a little bit of whine entering his mental voice.

'Indeed. This will not be a short term project.'

"I've already got too many things to study and practice, I don't have much spare time left."

'True. We might have to cut down elsewhere, being that we can't...' Tom's voice tailed off.

"Can't what? What happened Tom?"

'Oh nothing, I'm still here. I just remembered something that may be useful. There is an item that could help a lot and not just with this particular problem. The issue will be how easy will it be to get ahold of.'

Harry was more interested now, "What is it?"

'A time-turner. Allows magically immature individuals to exist in two places at once for short durations. Effectively allowing double the time to study.'

"Twice as much study? That doesn't sound like much fun and are you calling me magically immature?" Harry was wondering if he had just been insulted.

'Just twice as much time. It could be used for study, rest or anything else and yes Harry, you are indeed magically immature but that is both normal and a good thing. Having a magically mature core, which will happen in around five to six years real time, means that if you then tried to be in two different places at the same time it would cause serious issues. Don't feel insulted, your core is powerful, Harry, and will be even more so when it matures.'

"Okay... I think I understand most of that. So how do we get one of these turners?"

'They are sometimes leant out to students with either personal issues or particular study needs. If we could find out if any students currently have access to one, I think I could help you arrange an accident and obtain it without discovery.'

"You mean hurt someone and steal it? I'm not sure I like that idea."

'No Harry, an accident for the time-turner. If we want one before your fifth year we'll probably need to steal it and we don't want them searching for it. The time grains vanish on contact with air so all we need to do is make a realistic replica of the rest of the components and leave broken pieces of that behind.'

"So how do we find one."

'That's something I will ponder. For you I do believe it's time you got some sleep, Harry.'

"Okay, Tom. Goodnight." Harry wasn't going to argue about that. Sleep sounded wonderful.

"Goodnight, Harry."

-my-friend-tom-

Sunday morning started earlier than Harry would have liked. He was still tired from the previous night's adventure but Hermione had pestered him to take her to the library and help him find some books on House Elves.

Her insistence that they leave the breakfast table early also didn't improve his mood, so he was already feeling surly as he stomped, softly, around the library in the magical creature section grabbing books. The bright sunlight flooding through the high windows seemed to tease Harry.

"Harry. It's terrible, they are slaves."

"Well yes, but it's for mutual benefit."

"It's still slavery. That's illegal."

'Oh joy. Here we go.'

Harry sighed, "Human slavery is illegal Hermione." He groaned remembering, "Well in most circumstances..."

"What!"

"That's complicated, but back to House Elves. They need the master-slave bond to survive. As I said, it's more of a symbiotic relationship that just includes them having to follow their master's orders."

Hermione's voice took on even more annoying whine, "I don't believe it. There must have been another way other than forcing them into becoming enthralled to wizards."

"It's just speculating that they were forced. It happened so long ago that no one knows for sure what happened."

"And that's good enough, is it? I bet you no one has ever bothered try and fix it."

"Well.. probably not, but the House Elves don't want it fixed. So why would anyone?"

"So that's it, and you also think it's okay to have them remain slaves?"

'You're not going to win this argument, Harry. She has a cause!' Tom almost sniggered.

Harry frowned, he would have liked for Tom to actually help, but Tom was even less concerned about House Elves than he was. He couldn't see how he was going to get the message across, "Yes, Hermione, and if you are going to try and change things you're just going to upset everyone. At least research it properly first, and not today. Look, I'm going outside. Are you coming?"

Hermione actually stomped her foot in anger, "You will not just walk away from this. It's important Harry."

Harry shook his head, "If you say so. But leave it for the moment, Hermione. Do you want me to help put these books back?"

"Don't you dare, Harry. We are going to spend the morning working on how to help the elves."

'Yeah, right. Ignore her Harry. It does look like a lovely day outside.'

Harry stood, "I'm sorry, Hermione. There is no way I'm spending anymore time on this. The elves are happy and if you calm down you might be able to understand that."

"I understand just fine and I am calm." Hermione said not calming down at all. "You just don't care that it's slaves that are running around doing all the work."

"I'll be outside when you calm down."

"Don't you dare."

But Harry was already walking away.

'Well done, Harry.'

"Please, Tom, don't say anything."

-my-friend-tom-

At lunch, Hermione sat by herself reading a book as she ate lunch. Harry and Neville saw her suddenly let her fork drop with a clatter and stare intently at her book. She quickly pulled another book from her bag and started flicking through the pages.

'Here we go. She's just worked out that all the meals here are prepared by House Elves.' Tom's voice was amused.

"What do you think she'll do?"

'Probably go on a hunger strike.'

"A what?"

'She'll refuse to eat.'

"She can't do that. It's not healthy."

'Don't worry about it, Harry. She's eleven, she doesn't have the willpower to stick with it long enough for it to do any harm. Just ignore it.'

Harry was still worried. "Maybe I should try and talk her out of it."

'Don't be a fool. You know how stubborn she is. Paying attention to it will just make her feel like she's getting through to you.'

"So I should just ignore it?"

'Hell, yes.'

Neville watched Hermione carefully push her plate and all the nearby food away, then sitting stiff backed and returning her attention to her book. "Harry... what is she doing?"

"I'd say she's worked out that the food here is prepared by House Elves and is now going to refuse to eat it. Just ignore her Neville, she'll get over it."

Neville looked a little confused, "She didn't think that House Elves made the food? Who did she think made it?"

Harry smiled, "Who knows, Neville. Hermione is pretty smart but she's still got a lot to learn too."

After lunch, Harry and Neville met up with Ron and the other Gryffindor boys and played frisbee whilst the girls used animation charms to make the late summer flowers sway together beside the lake. After a while, a few of the Hufflepuff boys joined the game. Hermione sat a distance away reading. She had tried to gather some interest about helping the House Elves but only Justin has shown any interest at all. However, after having a chat with Ernie, Justin acknowledged that the situation was too complicated to worry about whilst he was still at school. She had managed to upset Parvati and Lavender when, after discovering they both had House Elves, she had begun trying to lecture them on why they should set them free.

At dinner, Hermione sat by herself reading and still not eating. She brushed off Harry's occasional attempt to have her at least sit with the rest of them, engage her in conversation about something other than House Elves or to eat something.

'Don't worry, Harry. Give her a few more days. Hunger has a tendency to wake people up.'