Chapter 7
Return to Grimmauld Place
"Let us know how they are, Ravenna." Molly urged for the fourteenth time that morning.
"Yes, Molly, I will. " Ravenna agreed once again as she hugged the elder woman and then Arthur, to whom she handed two boxes. " to keep you entertained in my absence, Arthur." He opened them and guffawed with laughter.
He presented Molly with a book and a box entitled "what is the function of a muggle's rubber duck?- ducklings included", which she rolled her eyes at and began to ignore her husband as he flicked through the book about the "elusive, Yellow duck". With Molly and Arthur distracted Ravenna turned her attention to Charlie who was holding their two children.
"Be careful, Raven." He begged once again.
"I will. Don't worry. They need you more than me." She said quickly when he opened his mouth again.
"I was going to tell you I love you."
"Oh. Well I love you too. I'll call as soon as I am safe and it is possible to make contact. Be good for your father children." With that, a kiss on their foreheads and a brief peck to Charlie, Ravenna walked away and apparated to The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley.
When she emerged out of the leaky cauldron she made her way down the back lanes to Grimmauld Place. She was shocked when she saw Ron crossing the square. He saw her and turned on her, wand drawn. She did the same.
"My animagus?" She asked Ron.
"A black raven, you're unregistered like your father. My favourite sweet?" Ron replied.
"Bertie Botts every flavour beans, primarily the toffee apple ones." Ravenna replied and put her wand away as Ron lowered his.
"What are you doing here, Raven?" He hugged her as she approached.
"I had to see Harry. And your mum wanted me to find out if you were okay." Ravenna answered, wrapping her arms around Ron's lanky frame.
"You best come in." He agreed as a chill whipped round them and they made a dash for the door of number 12, which had just appeared between 11 and 13. Once inside Ron made his way down the hall and Ravenna went to follow him but was blocked by the ghostly form of Dumbledore. He said something, Ron didn't hear, and Ravenna answered the figure.
"I would never have hurt you, Albus. I cared too much for you. I am not your killer." She smiled as the form disintegrated. She continued after Ron at a quick pace.
"What did he say?" Ron asked.
"He accused me of killing him. It's fine, one of the orders tricks to protect the house." Ravenna smiled as Ron led her into the kitchen. By the stove was Kreacher and at the table was Harry and Hermione. Hermione stood, wand raised.
"She's clear. I checked outside. Ravenna is married to Charlie." Ron stated. "Harry you remember her right? She was at Bill and Fleur's?"
"Yeah, I remember. Nice to see you again." Harry smiled, hugging her which made her want to cry.
"And you, Harry. Kreacher, tea if you will." She ordered the elderly house elf.
"Yes, mistress Black. A pure blood, married to a blood traitor. Oh if Kreacher's mistress knew, she would weep." Kreacher muttered.
"Yes, I am sure she would weep, but she isn't here to weep now and Harry and I are your master and mistress. Do as I ordered you. Now." Ravenna agreed with an air of sarcasm flooding her voice. "I brought you some proper food, less of Kreacher's drivel the better. Fish and chips." Ravenna added, producing the hot paper bag from beneath her cloak. She handed it to Harry who smiled with glee.
"You shouldn't be so cruel to Kreacher, he's only doing his best." Hermione countered. Ravenna glanced at Harry who shook his head.
"Hermione, Kreacher is vile because he was taught to dislike any who were not pure bloods or were pure bloods who supported muggle borns and half-bloods. Don't be nice to him. He doesn't deserve it." Ravenna explained helping Harry and Ron with some plates.
"For once I must agree with Raven, Hermione. Sorry." Ron said when she gave him a look seeking support. Hermione huffed and magicked some cups and saucers to the table from the cupboard above Harry's head, he had to duck to avoid being hit by them. They took their places at the table and waited for Kreacher to reappear with the overfilled, teapot.
After he did and Ravenna had magically poured tea to avoid lifting the heavy pottery, the quartet dug into their proper fish and chips, all with contented looks on their faces. When they had full stomachs and the tea was finished, Ravenna sighed.
"You okay, R?" Ron asked.
"Yes, just never thought I would return to Grimmauld Place." Ravenna smiled at the trio and Ron squeezed her hand in a brotherly way.
" I'm glad your back. I couldn't sand another meal cooked by Kreacher... Ow, Hermione, wht was that for?" Hermione had hit him. Hard in the ribs.
"You shouldn't be mean, he's only trying his best to care for us."
"He hasn't got a heart to care for anyone except my DEAD grandmother." Ravenna said, emphasising the word 'dead' so Kreacher could hear her. "He never liked me or daddy when we were both growing up here. It's a shame because I always loved Dobby." With a loud crack, Dobby the house elf appeared on the kitchen table, next to Ravenna.
"Welcome home to Grimmauld Place, Miss Black." Dobby squeaked, and Ravenna smiled as the house elf gave a low bow.
"Thank you, Dobby." She smiled and kissed his head. The elf blushed.
"Master Harry Potty, Miss Hermione, Master Ronald, hello." Dobby squeaked again and bowed to each in turn. Kreacher emerged through the door and glared at Dobby, conversing freely with the gathered masters and mistresses who sat at the table.
"Dobby, a free, nasty house elf, should know his place. He's no right to talk freely with the masters and mistresses of filth, scum, blood traitors and mud bloods. He should be serving a noble family, like I serve the noble house of Black." Kreacher complained.
"Kreacher should learn manners and be more polite about his masters and mistresses who allow him to stay. Master Harry Potty could get rid of Kreacher as quick as he wished." Dobby shot back in disgust at Kreacher's lack of manners. Kreacher muttered something else and Dobby flew at him. The pair fought and Ravenna soon had enough. She looked at Harry and he nodded. She rose from her chair and scooped up both house elves and pulled them apart.
"SILENCE." She roared in a way similar to Dumbledore had once or twice. The whole room fell silent and the two house elves stopped fighting immediately. She put Kreacher on the floor and Dobby onto the table. Dobby ran straight to Hermione for her tend his cuts and bruises.
"I cannot order you around Dobby, but the pair of you, pack it in. Kreacher go to your hovel and stay there unless I or Harry calls for you." Ravenna said simply. Kreacher did as he was bid and the Ravenna slumped into her seat again. "God, I've missed this place." She laughed sarcastically and magicked herself a large fire whiskey from the drawing room cabinet. She took a swig, Harry and Ron chuckled in agreement and Hermione busied herself with Dobby's cut hands.