Harry awoke with a bit of a Hangover.
Curled between his left arm and his side a twitching Dobby burbled in his sleep. As Harry lifted his head a grunt drew his attention to Kreature, who was now standing straighter, looking younger, and wearing a clean loin cloth.
"Master awakes." Kreature had opened both doors to the Wardrobe, revealing two boxes worked into the base, where an Elf could live. "Does Master want Kreature to arrange his wardrobe?"
"Kreature." Harry sat up, careful not to disturb Dobby, "Those clothes hanging there… I presume they are Reggy's old things? Would you be offended if I wore them until I get my own wardrobe to replace them?"
"Why…" the Hachet-nosed Elf squinted at Harry.
"One… He had great style. Two, I need Robes to wear for Wizard-related issues." Harry stood, before looking at the rags he was wearing… "Three… If I am going to wear second-hand clothing, I would like something more my size."
Kreature nodded. "What of your things are you keeping, and what is ,"
"All my school things, please." Harry stood, "As for the rest, fold them and stack them to the side. Now if you could point me to the shower, and prep it for me if you wish, I will go wash the grime from last night off."
Twenty minutes later Harry was dressed in loose fitting trousers and robes. Soft ankle high boots allowed for style and comfort.
Dobby had awoken and frowned at Kreature's care of Harry Potter. Harry, heading off the coming storm, first had Dobby nested in the other side of the wardrobe. Then asked the dagger nosed Elf if he was a Potter Elf or a Black Elf. Dobby frowned. Harry rubbed the small bald head.
"I bonded you as a Potter Elf. I bonded Kreature as a Black Elf. Kreature will handle my needs around this House. And unless I need to act as a Potter, I need you to continue to rid the Manor of Dark Pests. Before you renew your war, I need Winky brought in. Sirius needs an Elf to care for him, and Kreature has a distaste for him. Like your distaste for Draco."
Dobby nodded, before popping away. He returned with a hungover Winky.
Harry tiched his tongue. "Put her on the bed. When she sobers up, we will introduce her to Sirius. She claims to need a family, but with the order … she will have much work… even with you two handling the Manor."
Harry exited the room and descended the stairs to the Kitchen. Dobby returned to the war on the dark Pests, this time the battle was in the Ballroom. The twin's beater bat gripped in his long fingers as he wound up and let swing as doxiy sentry zoomed over to investigate the interloper. A shriek sounded as the black ball flew into the darkness. Dobby began to cackle. Kreature shook his head as snapped his fingers creating a sound barrier.
HPHS
In the kitchen, Molly set before him a bowl of porridge with cream and mixed berries, a plate of bacon and bangers, and a cup of tea. Ginny and Hermione were sitting together up the bench. Hermione was reading an old book. Ginny was mashing her mush. Sirius was watching Hermione over a mug of coffee.
As he dug in, his vision clouded. {My Host. I detect a magical substance in the mush. Not knowing the purpose of the concoction, I am absorbing it and rendering it inert. The young female is watching us. While I feel that her intent is aggressive, I detect no malice.}
'That would be Ginny. She is harmless to us. Her Mother's coaching in the form of bedtime stories, has implanted the idea that she and I are fated to be mated. The older female has a better chance of breeding with me.'
{You don't want to breed with them? They scan as Healthy.}
'It is a question of Want. As a male of my age, I have a biological drive to bend them both over a hard surface, plow and seed their fields. Only the Matron is not in sights as a breeding partner.'
{What removes her from the target group?}
'Her age, and her mate. Yes, if I needed to take her, her mate would fall to my wand, but he has sheltered me in times of need. I owe him and intend to keep him at my side… keep your Friends close…'
Ron stomped into the kitchen half asleep and with his shoes on the wrong feet.
With his vision still clouded, Harry snorted. '... And your enemies closer.'
{My Host?}
'Last year, the male broke from my side, and insulted me and my Honour. I have observed that He answers to someone other than his Mother, and I don't think she answers to her Mate.' He shook his head, 'Of the redheads, I call the twins and the Father friend. The young female is too much under the sway of others to be counted one way or the other. When she decides where she stands…?' He shrugged. "The older two sons, I have not met enough to judge."
{The older female is more than just a mating prospect. Your pulse quickened when I mentioned her earlier.}
'Yeah. While I have an interest in her on the primal level, she is first and foremost my friend, my ally, and my sword sister.'
{Then you should know that the unknown substance that I countered in your food, is running through her veins. She has been consuming it for a couple days now.}
The haze over his eyes turned red as did his eyes. He threw down the spoon. "Kreature! The Heir of Black was just attacked, as was a guest of House Black. Until either I or Lord Black say otherwise, Molly Weasley is denied cooking privileges. Either you or Dobby will do the cooking until Winky is up for the task. Vanish everything that is tainted, and start a pot for Chilli."
The hatchet nosed Elf grinned evilly. "And the shrew?"
"She can sit at the table, or clean the dining room. But she is not to touch anything having to do with food preparation. If Anyone other than Sirius and I say anything about this they can wait outside. I will allow them to ask why, and you can answer, but in-depth questioning will result in them being put outside." Harry sneered, "Dobby!" The Elf popped in, on the table, beaters bat dripping icor around his feet. "Hermione needs a Purging Potation, a change of clothes, a bathroom above the second floor." Harry turned to the crinkly haired witch. "Hermione, I am sorry, but I need to ask you to trust me and do this."
"Pup, what is going on? " Sirius looked up.
"Molly has been seasoning the food. That trick I showed you last night, well it protects me from her cooking. Hermione needs to be purged. I have not sensed you needing to purge, but that could because the House is protecting you or Molly doesn't think she has to potion you."
Sirius turned to look at the frumpy witch. "Explain. "
"I have nothing to say to you, just crawl back into your bottle and let those with clearer heads handle things." Molly Weasley was ramping up for a full on rant, when Kreature snapped his fingers and the Witch was silenced.
"Mrs. Weasley." Sirius stood to his full height. "You have assaulted my Heir, You have poisoned my Guest, and you have insulted my position as Head of the House of Black and Lord Black." Sirius leaned on the Table. "You have two options. One, you can go back to the Burrow. Or two, stay in your room until there is a meeting. Let your feet do the talking. Dismissed."
Molly huffed, but as she was muted, she stormed out of the kitchen and upstairs to the room she shared with Arthur.
When they heard the door closed, Sirius grinned evilly. "Kreature, as that room has its own bathroom, please seal the door. You can let her out when everyone gathers tonight." Sirius held his hand out to Harry. "May I barrow your wand?"
Harry flicked his wrist and the wand was in his hand. He flipped it, before offering the butt to Sirius.
Sirius took the wand, pointed it at Hermione, and muttered the incantation for a charm that Harry didn't know, and Hermione seemed to need to know it also.
The Brainy Witch glowed with a green hazy aura.
"Yeah, You're potioned. If it was just the 'monthly potion' you would have just glowed pink." He passed the wand back to Harry, as he sat. "Sorry Luv, you are in for a bad day. To make up for it, I will have a new book from the Library when you get out. "
Hermione sighed before nodding to Dobby, who then snapped his fingers and both of them vanished.
HPHS
Ron stumbled in, dropped onto the bench beside Harry, muttered a greeting, and looked around for his mother. Not seeing her, his brain activated as his stomach rumbled. "Ah… Harry? Where is Mum?"
"In her room. You need something" Harry stood, and dropped his empty bowl in the sink.
"Breakfast. Why is she in her room?" Ron frowned.
"That you will need to take up with Lord Black." Harry opened the icebox and grabbed three eggs, four bangers and a handful of bacon. He set a frying pan on the stove, ignited the flame and laid in the bacon. "How do you want your eggs?"
"Whites firm, yolks runny." Ron frowned as Harry sliced the bangers just enough to break the skin and score the meat inside. He turned the bacon as one side crisped and rolled the bangers into the hot grease. As they crisped, he buttered two slices of bread and set them beside the stove. As the bacon reached the level of doneness that Dudley preferred he lifted the rashers from the grease, laying them over the links and grabbed the first egg. As the third egg dropped into the grease, Harry covered the pan for a count of thirty, before lifting the whole thing out of the grease, meat and then the eggs, laying it on a plate,
The buttered bread were dropped into the pan buttered side up to soak up the last of the grease and browning before turning the buttered side down and killing the flame. The toast joined the bangers and rashers on the plate, and the plate was skidded across the table to rattle to a stop in front of Ron.
Ron snagged a rasher and bit it… then moaned. "The bacon is perfect. The toast… the eggs… "
"Dudley preferred his breakfast like this, only three times the amount. And two liters of milk. Vernon doubles that, exchanging coffee for the milk."
Ginny snagged a rasher. Ron opened his mouth to complain. "And how many of my bacon did you steal from my plate just last year?"
Ron grunted, picked up his plate and moved to the other end of the table.
Ginny bit into the rasher and moaned just like her brother. "Okay, that is better than Mother's cooking. Until we go to School, you are going to be cooking for me and Hermione. Judging by Ron's face, him too."
" Make that six." Sirius spoke up. " The twins and I are on that list."
"I got you an Elf. " Harry smiled at Padfoot. "She needs a family and was dismissed unfairly." His grin turned dark. "And there is a bonus… Winky was the Elf of your favorite department head." Harry frowned, "Sorry, former department head."
"Crouch?" Sirius grinned, "Oh yeah, I will keep her. Where is she?"
"My bed. After Crouch dismissed her to cover his shriveled arse, she developed a butterbeer habit. She is sleeping off the last of her bender. The guys are keeping an ear out for her. Doddy is bonded to me as a Potter Elf and Kreature is bonded to me as a Black Elf. Sorry old man but he is mine. That is why I arranged for you to bond Winky."
" Trade accepted." Black crowed.
HPHS
After Breakfast, Ron hurried to his room before the adults could find out that he had nothing to do and put him to work.
Ginny had wandered off to work with her Pygmy Puffs, trying to get them to breed and do tricks. She was keeping a journal for Care credit.
Around lunch, Dobby popped in to report that the dining room was pest free and cleaned. That should Lord Black prefer, the meetings could now be held out of the kitchen.
Padfoot just had to inspect the room. It was clear of pests, and the sconces were lit. The table was dusty. Only where the dead doxies had hit was the dust disturbed.
"Okay. Clean up the room and seat for twenty. Include an overstuffed chair Albus at the head." Sirius gave the orders to Dobby as Kreature hovered in wings. He turned to look at Kreature, "Grandfather's chair at the foot. I know as Head of House I should be at the Head, but Albus is the Head of the Order."
Dobby popped over to Hogwarts and got 'Professor Whiskers' second favorite chair.
Because Winky was still sleeping off the butterbeer because of the effects of the drink on Elf biology and the fact that she was unbonded, Harry started on Lunch.
Raiding the last of Molly's supplies, he made sixteen sandwiches using the last of the bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, egg yolks and some thinly sliced meat that he grilled in the bacon grease. He used the egg whites to make homemade mayonnaise and slathered it on thick.
Half were eaten by everyone but Hermione and Molly. Hermione was in no condition to eat, and Molly wouldn't touch anything that she didn't cook.
Once the kitchen was cleared after lunch, Harry started fixing Dinner. Kreature complained, but Harry put his foot down and sent Kreature for potatoes, carrots and three onions. He sent Dobby for ten pounds of chuck. He cubed the chuck into two inch chunks. These he seared in dragon fat to a crispy golden brown. Into the biggest pot short of a class five cauldron, he dumped minced onions and a Tablespoon of 'Lizard Lard' dragon fat. Once the diced meat finished crisping up, he added it, a cup of flour, and a goblet of Elf wine. As he stirred it, he added a pinch of salt, a dash of pepper, and two sprigs of thyme. Smirking, he wedged the door to the rest of the house open.
He inspected the carrots and potatoes. Kreature seemed to have a sense of humor and had ten pounds of both baby carrots and baby potatoes. Harry shook his head and set them aside. He looked through the spice cabinet. Sniffing the corks, he found three magical spices that were not poisonous, that he judged to add flavor to his cooking. Russian Rosemary, Cambodian Cardamom. Bangolin Basil.
He stirred the meat and rue so nothing would stick to the bottom of the pot. He added the spices, potatoes, carrots, another goblet of wine, and enough water to cover everything by about an inch. Setting the flame to a low simmer, he looked at the Elves frowning from the kitchen table.
"Okay Boys, we need a ten inch loaf of fresh baked bread for each diner that is going to sit at our Table. We also need butterbeer, pumpkin juice and fresh butter. So Dobby, you get the drinks and butter, and Kreature will handle the bread. We let the stew … stew as you do your jobs, and I go see Snuffles. Please ward the door so that only I can enter and switch the Floo to the parlor."
" Yes Master. " the Elves chorused before turning to their assignments.
Harry found Sirius in the library pouring over a pile of books, looking for something.
Using a spell he learned from Moony just before he left Hogwarts, Harry changed his voice to match McGonagall's. "Mr. Black. Just what are you doing?" Harry barked in his Head of House's voice.
The bearded man jumped in fright and tipped his chair back enough to fall back on the ground.
"Nothing ma'am. Just reading up on… " the dog-wizard scrambled to his feet where he found a laughing Harry leaning on the door jam. "Why you little shite. I am so going to get you for that." He then smiled, "You wouldn't be interested in teaching me how to do that, would you?"
Harry got his laughter under control. "And give you the means to do that to me, not on your flea infested hide."
" One, I don't have fleas." Sirius drew himself up, " I had Moony run Padfoot through the dog groomers… twice. Two. What if I promise to never use it on you?"
" Nope. You will find some excuse to use it for evil, and after the third time, when Professor McGonagall does speak to me, I am going to fail to obey and then it's my arse on the line."
" Then how am I supposed to do that to Moony? "
" Who do you think taught it to me? Besides, I am thinking of pranking Ron and the twins."
Padfoot raised his head. "Please let me be there for when you do." Pride flashing in his eyes.
" Of course. " Harry grinned. "I will need someone to duck behind when they retaliate."
Sirius threw a dry ink well at the Lad as Harry ducked out laughing.
Harry found his way to the bathroom where Hermione was locked in
"Are you okay in there?" He called through the door.
"I blame you! " the young woman yelled at the door. "You have better make up for this or what I did to Malfoy will seem pleasant."
" So one book, from the alley or am I going to have to take you shopping? "
Hermione made a noise that is not normal for a woman to make without pharmacy assistance .
Harry nodded. "A shopping trip it is. I will let Ginny know."
He walked off, heading to the girls' room. He knocked and smiled when Ginny opened the door. "I am taking Hermione shopping tomorrow. If you can get your father to okay it, you are welcome to come along. Dinner is at 6 in the dining room, and we are expecting company. If you want preferred seating, be early."
He wandered up to his room, to check in on the Elf Winky. He found her awake, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Hearing the door open, she looked up, hope shining in her eyes. "Are you Winky's new Master? Winky's new Family?"
"Family, yes Winky. But I arranged for you to bond to the Lord of the House. The Household's Elf is old and losing a step. A younger Elf is needed. If you will straighten up, I will take you to meet your Master so he can bond with you."
He turned his back to give her privacy as she straightened her raggy dress and wimple. When she stepped to his side he headed down to the Library once again.
As he stepped into the room, he noticed that the pile of books had grown.
He cleared his throat. "Lord Sirius Black, Lord of Black, Head of House Black. I present Winky, formerly of House Crouch."
Sirius looked at Harry, a glare on his face. "Damn you pup." He stood and approached the two at the door. "Winky. I heard about the 'how' you were dismissed, but not the 'why'. I don't care. The only thing I need to know… Will Winky Serve?"
Winky sobbed as she bolted to Padfoot's knee. "Winky Serve! Winky Serve!" The boom of her bond snapping into place rocked the house.
"Welcome to House Black, Winky. If Harry will call Kreature, we will see about getting you a nest."
" Kreature was sleeping in one side of Reggie's wardrobe, and Dobby will be taking the other side. If Padfoot would be accepting, Winky could sleep in his wardrobe unless you want to send her to the girls. They will need her care, as Molly is not allowed anywhere besides the dining room and her bedroom."
The Humans looked at the Elf. "Well Winky, you have the option of my wardrobe or the wardrobe in the girls room."
"If it be allowed, Winky will choose young misses."
" Take her to Ginny. Fill her in on the situation. Then report to Hermione. She might be more accepting of Winky than Dobby for her needs. "
" Yes sir." Harry was talking to Lord Black rather than Padfoot. "Also to let you know, I am taking Hermione out tomorrow to the Alley. I have invited Ginny, and will brooch the subject with the twins over dinner. Dinner is at six, and you are the only one besides Albus that has reserved seating. I am not inviting Ron, because he has Homework and will need the extra time to do it. If Molly wants, she can sit in the Dining room or Parlor and knit or read. By request of half the house, I am cooking breakfast, but lunch and dinner will be handled by Elves."
Harry paused as he counted on his fingers what he wanted to tell Lord Black. He nodded and smiled at Padfoot as he rubbed Winky's head between her ears, ruffling her wimple.
"I will have a letter for you to deliver to the Black Account Manager, and I think you had better check in with the Potter Account Manager as well." Black had a sparkle in his eye.
So Harry again climbed to the second floor and knocked on the door to the Witches room.
Ginny opened the door with a frown before smiling at Harry. "You keep coming back to my door… are you wanting to try wrestling me to the bed and take advantage of poor little me?"
"No, and a Hell No." Harry smiled before kissing her forehead. "The No is because I am here on House Black business. The Hell No is because you have six older brothers who are almost as scary as you are, and three of them, I respect."
" So, if you have their blessing? " the ginger pressed.
" I could be tempted to test your wrestling skills." Harry admitted. " Now, you and Hermione have a new roommate. Allow me to introduce you to Winky. She just bonded to Padfoot, and was offered the wardrobe in your room as opposed to the one in Padfoot's room. She will be handling the laundry for the most part." He looked down at Winky." Dobby will insist on doing mine. Feel free to assign the laundry from all the non-Black males to Dobby. He will be needing the work and the only man you need to clean up after is Sirius. He might include Moony."
"If Winky may, What is your position in House Black? " The large dark eyes looked up at him.
"I do Believe that I am the Heir." Harry rubbed her head again. Looking at the redhead before him, " Going to take her upstairs to tell her about Hermione and and vice versa. Are you two using the wardrobe? "
" No, we are living out of our trunks… so the wardrobe is all hers." Ginny smiled at the Elf.
As Harry climbed another flight of stairs, Winky trotted at his heels. At the door to the Lady's Chambers, Winky paused and looked at the door with her ears raised as she sensed something big on the other side. "Ah, yes. That is Buckbeak. A hippogriff that is thought to be either dead or gone feral. Lord Black rides him when he needs to fly. You can leave him to Dobby as well, he likens it to cleaning up after 'Young Master '."
Winky snorted.
Harry led the way to the bathroom where Hermione was tied up. "Hermione. I have some good news and some that you will see as bad news."
"Do you have to do this now? " the pained voice spoke through the door.
Looking at the Elf, "She has taken a Purging Potation and is suffering the effects. Keep an ear on her. She is a guest of House Black, and a trusted guest potioned her with an known agenda." Harry strokes the door, before turning on to head down to the kitchen. "the last female in the house is the witch that tried to potion us. She is to be ignored by all elves when she calls. Tonight she is confined to her chamber until Dinner. After the meeting, she is to either go home or back to her chamber. She is allowed to sit in the dining room or Parlor tomorrow and read or knit. I am going out tomorrow with Hermione. Is there anything that you need or want? As the Heir and the one who brought you into this House, it falls to me to see that you are cared for and have the things you need."
" Winky think it over and have list after breaky."
" Okay. I am handling Dinner tonight and Breakfast most mornings. I will be allowing the Elves to clean up and help with the prep. You three will take care of the household shopping and be asked to bring our shopping home. You're responsible for the girls and Lord Black. Dobby is responsible for my needs as Potter and Kreature is responsible for my needs as Black."
Winky bobbed her head and popped away.
Harry headed down towards the kitchen as saw Sirius standing in the doorway of the Library, sniffing the air.
" What are you doing in the kitchen, pup? "
" A twist on beef stew. If I had access to a Texico, I would have added a bag or two of frozen vegetables to the mix." Harry grinned evilly at the Grim Animus. "Kreature is making a loaf of bread for everybody. What is not eaten tonight will be served as lunch tomorrow." Harry looked up. "I know that this is a magical house, and with the Weasleys here it has that homey feeling. But with everyone here, I would think that this place would be feeling smaller. But walking Winky about, I counted another ten rooms empty and semi clean. Dobby could have them finished tomorrow night. Winky would have them done by noon."
" Some of the Order use the semi clean rooms when they are too tired to go home after a meeting." Padfoot smiled at his pup. "There are maybe three I would offer full service of Guest Rights to. Tonks, Vance, and Shacklebolt. I will have them show Winky which rooms are theirs. The other seven can wait until the Elves have a period of no work. "
" Oh the horror. " Harry deadpanned.
HPHS
In the kitchen, Kreature was using his magic to turn a ball of dough the size of Padfoot into loaves of bread, When Harry walked in
" Master, this morning you said something about a pot of chili. Kreature waited to ask about it, not knowing what it is. "
" An American answer to stew. What I have planned is something to keep on the simmer, that is never ending. First, we will need beans, the class five cauldron half filled with water and a week of cooking. Tonight after dinner, if you want, rinse five kilos of red beans and bring them to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and we'll handle the rest in the morning."
" Yes Master. "
HPHS
At Half Five, Order members started arriving. As Ginny entered the Dining room, Harry smiled at the girl. "Hey, Gin. Do me a favor and invite your mother to the table please."
Ginny sighed and stomped up the stairs to her parents' room, and rapped on the door. "Mom! Harry said to invite you to the Dinner Table."
As she returned down the stairs she bumped into Sirius, who was sniffing the air as he walked down the stairs slowly. The twins were on the landing below watching the Dog-animagus follow his nose to the ground floor. The three snickered when he bounced off the ward into the Kitchen.
"Ah Sirius. We are meeting at the door dining group is meeting in the dining room." Ginny smiled at the man.
Black whined as he pulled away from the door to follow her to the dining room. The smell of the fresh bread and Stew demanded his attention.
He entered the room to see Hermione arguing with Ron.
.
Tbc
