Thank you all for the wonderful reviews. They have really helped me through me ridiculous idea of stopping with this story before I had written a proper ending. In particular GuestReviewerMel who's review (almost as long as this chapter) outlined in detail every path that is still open to me, Erimenthe who inspired the first part of this chapter and CaseyLC who made me see that a story isn't made by it's antagonists. I've since come to the conclusion that a story is made by its reviews, with the positive, constructive critiques and the shitty ones I've deleted. I guess I just want to show my gratefulness to those who've had faith in me since the beginning and have helped come this far. Without you I would never have gotten here.
On another note (before I start to cry, again) I've found a bèta. SoraKairiRikuNamine has done a wonderful job editing this chapter.
Chapter 16: It's a date
"Harry, oh you won't believe this!"
Hermione stormed into the room looking rather rumpled and excited. Her hair had bushed up even more than usual and she had red spots on her cheeks. Harry smiled up at her from his seated position in front of the fireplace. He had been reading up on foreign languages for to unravel the secret of the golden egg.
"What has you in such a state? Is the Hogwarts burning down? Or has Aragog decided to storm the castle with his many offspring?"
"Very funny Harry."
He smiled cheekily at the look she gave, but motioned Hermione to sit down and tell her tale. She needed to relax now and then and stop taking life so seriously.
"It's Dobby, Harry! He's here in the castle!"
Harry's eyes nearly fell out of their sockets in his surprise. Never had he expected to meet the quirky little house-elf again.
"Dobby!"
"What can Dobby do for his noble Master Harry Potter, sir?"
They all jumped as the house-elf appeared in the middle of the room not a second after Harry had uttered his name. When they finally recovered enough from the shock, Dobby's appearance nearly did them in for real. He wore a child's soccer shorts, no shirt, a tie with horseshoe print, a tea cozy with numerous badges as hat and a pair of mismatched socks. One of the socks was old and black - the one Harry had freed him with - the other pink with orange stripes.
"Dobby, what are you doing here?" Harry asked the small house-elf.
"Dobby has come to work at Hogwarts Master Harry Potter, sir. Professor Dumbledore has given Dobby and Winky jobs Master Harry Potter, sir." he responded.
"So Winky is here too. Is she all right? Are you all right? How have you been since you were freed from Lord Malfoy?"
Dobby teared up at this question and hugged Harry so tight all the air was squeezed out of him.
"Master Harry Potter is too kind! He is asking how Dobby feels! Master Harry Potter is too good for Dobby!"
Viktor had adopted a pensive expression since the beginning of the exchange and now he interrupted Dobby's wailings to ask him a direct question.
"Why have you sought employment at Hogwarts when you are obviously bonded to Harry?"
All eyes in the room suddenly focused on Viktor: some pensive, others bewildered. Dobby let go of Harry and looked rather nervous, but after a deep breath did face Viktor to answer him.
"Master Harry Potter formed a bond with Dobby when Dobby went to warn Master Harry Potter that bad things was going to happen at Hogwarts. When Master Harry Potter made bad Malfoy give Dobby a sock, the bond sealed. But Master Harry Potter had no need for Dobby and Master Harry Potter is so great that Master Harry Potter's magic can keep Dobby over great distances, so Dobby goes looking for a job and maybe help Master Harry Potter with things Dobby hears."
Here he paused to take another deep breath and rattled on, ignorant of the incredulous looks on his audience's faces.
"But no one wants a house-elf that asks moneys and free time and so Dobby's search goes on. And then Dobby hears Winky has been freed and Dobby goes to Winky so they can look for work together. And then Dobby thinks: where is enough work for two house-elves? And Dobby feels the bond pulling and Dobby knows he must return to Hogwarts and Master Harry Potter. Professor Dumbledore has listened to Dobby's story and says Dobby may stay as Master Harry Potter's house-elf and Winky has become Hogwarts' house-elf."
"So you're mine?" Harry asked astonished. "My own house-elf?"
Dobby nodded enthusiastically as he looked up to Harry with stars in his eyes. Harry kneeled in front of Dobby and took his right hand in his own.
"I promise you, Dobby, that I will never punish you unduly, that you won't have to fear me and that I will always treat you as my own family. You are wanted, you are respected and you are loved. If you want money and free time, I'm sure we can work out an arrangement; if you want a mate, I'll allow you to look; if you want clothes without being freed, I'll make it happen."
Dobby began wailing and crying again. Harry gathered him gently in his arms. It was true. He felt the bond pulling, ensuring he would appreciate the servant that had been bestowed on him by accident. Harry didn't love by halves and Dobby was more than worthy of that love in his eyes.
Now let's leave the mushiness of a happy reunion behind us as we move to a different part of the magnificent Scottish castle. In the dungeons a lonely Potions Master was drowning himself in Firewhiskey as he tried to forget the looming appointment with his Lord, to discuss his love life of all things.
Severus knew whom he loved and even if they had joined the Dark Side, and had taken care to make up past wrongs, he still had no hope of a future with them. Yes, his love was so strong it had survived bullying, attempted murder, no contact for over a decade and no hope. Yet he was content to observe them from afar. It hurt - when doesn't love hurt? – but it was a pain he could live with.
Naturally, just as he began to become pleasantly buzzed (having consumed enough to defeat a dragon), his fireplace roared to life and the two objects of his affections stepped through. They looked anxious as they spotted the empty bottles of Firewhiskey, Ogden's finest, and kneeled down on either side. Remus took the glass from his hand and Sirius was muttering spells beneath his breath.
"How much have you been drinking?"
"Are you my mother?" Severus snarked back.
Severus winced at the sharp, biting tone, and looked down, refusing to meet Remus' eyes.
"Come on Sev, we are just worried. It can't be healthy to consume this much Firewhiskey. Think of the hangover tomorrow when you've got classes to teach and a Dark Lord to meet."
"Since when are you the resp…reshpons…adult? And don't call me Sev."
Remus exchanged a look with Sirius and got up to look in Severus's stores. They needed to have this talk with him now, so a soberness potion it was. Lucky for them they had been freshly brewed by a somewhat competent sixth year and he returned quickly to find Severus laying half on Sirius, fighting for the half empty bottle of Firewhiskey.
With a roll of the eyes Remus took Severus' shoulders and pulled him away from Sirius, who pouted at the loss of contact. Remus then softly pushed Severus in his armchair and made him drink the potion. Severus was surprisingly compliant, but Remus wasn't about to look a gift hippogriff in the mouth.
Sirius frowned at the armchair for a moment before he took his wand out and transfigured it into a small sofa, a loveseat for three people. He shrugged at Remus' look and nestled close to Severus. With a sigh Remus took the other side. Effectively trapping a now sober and rapidly panicking Severus.
"Why in Merlin's name are you sitting so close to me? And if you don't take you hand off my thigh, I'll hex it off, Black."
Sirius ignored Severus' blustering, his empathy telling him all he needed to know. Severus was confused and very much a blushing maiden, but he wanted…no, needed this.
"Relax Sev, this is to make the conversation easier." Sirius explained.
"What conversation? And I told you I do NOT wish to be addressed as Sev."
Remus took over before Sirius made Severus bolt with his attitude.
"You see, Severus," Remus began, "we admire you a lot. So when we came clean to each other a couple of weeks ago, we decided that we wanted you as third member in our threesome."
"And with threesome, we really mean three-way bond." Sirius continued.
Severus had gone completely still. This was all he had ever wanted and hoped for, but it was too unreal for him to believe it. His mind, never truly recovered from his abusive and drunken father or the bullying, couldn't accept the idea that these two fine men wanted him, the greasy dungeon bat.
"Why me?" Severus asked with a trembling voice.
Those two words coupled with the disbelieving tone in which they were uttered, nearly broke Remus and Sirius' hearts. They hugged him and at first Severus tensed so much he did a very good impression of a statue, but they kept holding him gently. Doing nothing more than keeping their arms around him, while they tried to communicate their feelings nonverbally. It took a long while, but at last Severus began to relax. They sat that way for a bit longer before speaking.
"You are the greatest man I've ever met, Severus. You took Harry in without a second thought, despite what James has done to you. You have forgiven both Sirius and me for our misdeeds with no compensation whatsoever or even lording it over us. You even became tentative friends with us. You are intelligent, kind and loyal; I can go on for hours about your good qualities."
Sirius gently took Severus's face in his hands and turned it towards him.
"Sev, I've known what you feel for us for a long time. I'm an Empath, you see. And yes at first I wanted nothing to do with you, but I've since realised what a stupid, little bastard I was back then. I love you and so does Remus and we want nothing more than you be happy with you."
"I…I need time…"
"Of course you do Sev, and we will give you time, but we won't keep our distance. Before we start courting, Remus and I will first woo you."
Severus adopted a deer-in-the-headlights look at Sirius' speech and Remus chuckled softly before reassuring him.
"We will just keep on the dinners and outings together. Nothing fancy and nothing over the top. Don't let Sirius scare you. I'll make sure he doesn't overwhelm you in his enthusiasm. And don't worry about our Lord. He knows and approves."
As Severus began to accept (and appreciate) the sneakiness with which he had been cornered, Remus called for Mimsy to prepare a light supper for three.
A bit further down in the dungeons, Draco Malfoy was freaking out over the date he was scheduling for that weekend. He wanted to go somewhere a bit fancier (and preferably more private) than the Three Broomsticks, but the only other option was Madame Puddifoot's Tea Shop, which he refused to enter. He could probably manage a trip to Vertic Alley or Horizont Alley, but he wanted to keep things sweet and simple.
With a deep sigh he let his head fall into his hands, and while he noticed his friends taking place around him, he refused to look up.
"Come on Drake, it can't possibly be that hard to find something. And hey, at least Pucey has agreed to chaperone for you and managed to get on well with Diggory."
Blaise had reached during Pansy's talking and taken Draco's notes. The various locations Draco had been considering all had complaints next to them.
"I must say, Draco, that you managed to keep Potter's preferences in mind pretty well. He's the kind of guy that would bolt if you took him to an expensive restaurant for a first date. You can take him on a picnic, though. I'm sure the kitchen house-elves would be willing to provide you with food and you did say that you had found an amazing spot."
Draco bolted upright, eyes gleaming wildly.
"That is it! Blaise you are a genius!"
He stormed out of the Common Room and made his way to the kitchens. He had discovered the Rose Garden the same day he had declared his intentions to Harry. It was a small garden with a small gazebo completely covered with roses. There was a small pond as well with fairies hiding in the bushes.
The way from the Slytherin Common Room to the kitchens only took him half as long as usual, due to having run all the way there. It was unbecoming, but Draco was far too excited to act with his customary dignity. Though when he entered the kitchens he was greeted by a sight he never taught he'd see again.
"Dobby? What are you doing here?"
His father's former house-elf blinked up again, looking as astonished to see him here as Draco felt. He had liked the house-elf, because of his quirkiness and had often talked to him, while Dobby was doing his tasks. His father hadn't liked it, felt he was above the creatures, but Draco didn't share that view. The house-elf made his food, washed his clothes and kept the house clean, so it was better to play nice with them than to risk them sharing the family secrets. Dobby's case was the perfect example of this.
"Young master Draco! Dobby is pleased to see you, sir."
"And I to see you. What are you doing at Hogwarts, wearing clothes nonetheless?"
"Dobby bonded with Master Harry Potter, sir. He said that Dobby works in the kitchens and that he calls Dobby when Dobby is needed. He even lets Dobby have his clothes! Master Harry Potter is the best and kindest master Dobby can wish for."
"I know, that's why I'm courting Harry. Can I ask a favour of you? I'm planning a picnic for Harry this Saturday and since you obviously now know Harry's tastes the best, would you mind selecting the food for the picnic basket?"
"Dobby would be honoured to help Young master Draco with courting Master Harry Potter sir. Dobby will deliver the basket when it is needed and where."
"I was thinking of a light lunch, around half past twelve. Do you know the rose garden with the pond and the fairies?"
"Dobby knows, though we calls it the Garden of Loves. Dobby will take care of it."
"Thank you Dobby. I appreciate your willingness to help me, even though you have no obligation whatsoever. I promise to treat Harry right."
Hope you enjoyed it.
I'm really glad i've managed to give Dobby a happy family. For those of you who are confused about Dobby helping Draco, I'll explain. Draco liked Dobby when he was still a Malfoy elf and went ut of his way to talk to him and make his appreciation known. So Dobby doesn't drop the title and when he discovers that Draco wants to make his master happy, he is glad to help. I'd like it if I don't get reviews tomorrow like "Dobby is totally out of character" "I don't think Dobby likes Draco" etc. This is my interpretation of Dobby, deal with it.
I both hated and loved writing about Sev/Siri/Remus. The dialogue is bloody hard to write and before the edit it was still confusing. Little trick: Sev = Sirius talks, Severus = Remus talks. Still it is one of my favorite ships and I honestly think that they suit each other very well. I also want to give them the love they have all sorely missed. Wonder how Teddy would look in my story.