Start of Something
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J. K. Rowling and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim belongs to Bethesda Softworks. I'm simply an author who loves playing around in fictional worlds. I do not make money from this nor do I want to. I write these stories for myself and for others to brighten their day.
Warnings: Male/male relationship. This story contains fem/male, male/male, fem/fem, threesomes and interspecies relationships but nothing is explicit. There is also death, gore, and some torture.
This is the fourth part of a rewrite of Viing Gut Zii Yah.
…
23rd of June, 1998.
It was an ordinary sort of day. Clouds rolled overhead. People walked around and looked in store windows while trying to get things done. In a small café sat a bunch of teenagers. They had two years of schooling to go before they would be considered contributing members of society, but most of them were eighteen already.
Sitting with his arm over the back of a chair was a young man who could have once been described as fat, but hard work had slowly changed that. He still had a long way to go before he would reach his ideal weight. He was in no hurry though. For now, he was just out to have fun with his friends.
"Hey, Dumbo still hanging with these faggots."
"Piss off Polkiss!"
"What Dudders can't handle talking to a real man. Worried mommy can't kiss it better. Maybe they'll send you to wherever that cousin of yours ended up… oh, wait he's probably dead isn't he? Or in the loony bin "
"You shut the hell up about my cousin."
"Buhu, Dudders cousin is…"
"Standing right behind you," Harry said calmly. When he had gone looking for Dudley this wasn't what he had expected. Though, he had to say that he was pleasantly surprised. Dudley looked like he had been working out. He had lost most of the unnecessary weight, and he looked less like his father. All things considered, he looked happy. Except for this Polkiss person. Harry vaguely remembered him as being the one who caught up to him and held him down when Dudley wanted to beat him up.
"Harry?" Dudley stared at the dark-haired man who had walked up next to Polkiss. His green eyes weren't covered by glasses, and he looked like he had stepped out of a fashion magazine.
"That's my name, don't wear it out," Harry said calmly with a hint of mirth to his voice.
"Yeah, I remember beating the snot out of you," Polkiss said while towering over Harry.
"That was a long time ago," Harry said just as calmly the mirth gone. "Things change." He turned back towards Dudley and was about to say something when the fist came flying.
Dudley was out of his chair in seconds, but he stopped short when he realised that the first never landed. Polkiss was lying on the floor, but Harry hadn't defended himself. He had just stepped to the side.
"As I said things change," Harry said. "And I'm glad they do." He was looking at Dudley with a smile on his face.
Dudley walked up to Harry and pulled him into a bear hug. "Where the hell have you been?" he asked as he let go.
"That is a long story," Harry said. He looked around at the people that Dudley had been sitting with. "You mind if I steal him? We have some things to talk about."
"You okay Dudley?" one of the guys asked.
"Yeah, I'd like to have a chat with Harry. I'll see you guys later. He walked up to one of the girls and kissed her. "I'll call if it gets late," he said.
"Okay," she responded. "Have fun."
Harry headed out of the café with Dudley behind him. They headed over to a very nice-looking car. "Get in," he said.
"Is this yours?" Dudley asked as he sat down and put his seatbelt on. In the rearview, he could see a car seat for a small child.
"It is," Harry said. "Bought it off a couple who had just won enough money to start their life anew. I think they moved to New Zealand.
"It looks like it's brand new," Dudley said.
"They bought it less than six months before selling it," Harry said. "Enough about the car though. How have you been doing?"
Dudley shrugged. "Better since I woke up and realised that I'm supposed to live my life," he said. "I'm taking a Bachelor of Science. Mom almost flipped and Dad thought I was an idiot."
"I'd say you are proving the opposite," Harry said.
Dudley chuckled. "I guess," he said. He watched the city disappear behind them. "Where are we going?" he asked. Not that he was worried really, but it would be nice to know.
"Thought I'd bring you over to my place," Harry said. "So, you got new friends and you study something you enjoy. Looked like you had a girlfriend. It seems to me like you're doing alright for yourself."
"I am," Dudley said. "We rent a one-bedroom apartment near campus. I box to work out my aggression. Life is good, you know."
"Just finished Hogwarts," Harry said. "Don't know my marks yet but it doesn't matter. I have enough job offers as is.
"I take it things work a little differently when there is magic involved," Dudley said.
"Probably, I don't have anything to compare to," Harry said.
"Can you just work like anything out of school?" Dudley asked.
Harry chuckled. "No, we still run the apprenticeship system, or there are education programs offered by the employer. A friend of mine wants to become our equivalent to a police officer. He has to qualify in a few days."
"So there are a few different ways to get about things," Dudley concluded. "The Magical World always seemed dangerous to me."
"Think of it like the normal world but everyone is running around with a loaded gun," Harry said. "Most people wouldn't hurt anyone, but there are a few rotten eggs out there that make life difficult for everyone else. Our biggest problem is that while we know magic, so do they, and they have learnt magic meant to hurt as many people as possible."
"Dangerous then," Dudley said. He shook his head. "You know I hadn't realised just how much we were missing out growing up just because mom and dad didn't even want magic mentioned in the house. There are so many good movies, you know."
"I know. I ran a Disney marathon with some friends after we had been to Disneyland and there is a lot of good stuff," Harry said.
"I have to ask though," Dudley said. "Are vampires and werewolves real?"
"Yes to both," Harry said. "Most vampires are very controlled and don't just attack people out of the blue. Werewolves are less controlled, but there is a cure they can take so they won't turn into the beast anymore." He took a turn past open fields.
Dudley nodded slowly. "Are you really allowed to tell me these things?" he asked.
"Technically you are considered part of my knowing family together with your parents. If you are worried about it, we can always throw on a familiar adoption. It would make us more or less brothers and you'd gain a sister too," Harry said quickly. His mind was working fast to make sure he wasn't missing something.
"You can do that even though I don't have magic?" Dudley asked. He wasn't sure what to think, but it sounded pretty fantastical.
"You actually have magic," Harry said. He paused for a moment so Dudley could process the information. "You just don't have the kind of magic that gets you accepted into Hogwarts."
They continued in silence for quite a long time before Dudley asked, "Is it dangerous?"
"No," Harry said. "Unlike magic, magicka just lays dormant unless you are actively trained. You can't hurt anyone by accident and you're no danger to yourself. You could spend the rest of your life ignoring it and you'd be fine."
"And you would be okay with that?" Dudley asked.
"I don't care about that," Harry said. "Just because you have the aptitude for something that doesn't mean you have to learn it."
Dudley seemed to relax. "So, mom could probably learn magicka too?" he said.
"Probably, but I'm not telling her that," Harry said. He drove in on a small one-way road.
They headed through a forest until Dudley could see the smooth water of a lake. The air shimmered around them suddenly, and a rather large house appeared out of nowhere.
"Welcome to Ennerdale," Harry said.
"You own this place?" Dudley asked.
"Everything inside the dome is mine," Harry said. He drove down to an open garage and parked the car.
"How?" Dudley asked as he looked around. He started to feel like he couldn't stop being surprised that day.
"That is part of a very intricate answer. I can tell you the simple version or the complex one," Harry said.
"What is a simple answer like," Dudley asked.
"My family has a lot of money," Harry said.
"How do you make that more complex?" Dudley asked.
"Are you sure you want to know?" Harry asked.
"I'm sure I do."
Dudley turned around and sized up the tall blonde guy standing in the doorway. He looked aristocratic and dressed that way too if a little strange since he was clearly a wizard.
"Dudley Dursley meet Draco Malfoy," Harry said. "Draco was my nemesis at Hogwarts when we were younger. Lately, though things have changed a lot."
"Let me guess those changes started taking place sometime before the summer when you didn't come back home," Dudley said.
"Something like that," Harry said.
"So what happened?" Draco asked.
"Dudley?" Harry wanted to know just how involved his cousin wanted to be.
Dudley nodded slowly. "Let's do this," he said.
"Good, then follow me," Harry said. He walked into the house and settled down in the living room. "Come sit with me." He waited until they had joined him on the floor. "What I'm going to do is very much like a pensive memory," he told Draco. "Or a movie if you could watch it from within the movie." He turned to Dudley. "You'll have to come closer because I need to be able to touch you." He waited patiently for both Draco and Dudley to come closer. "I'll have to give Dudley some background information. Butt in if you want to," he told Draco. He held his hand out palm up.
Dudley's hand was warm and his fingers calloused.
Draco's hand was smooth and cool to the touch.
Harry took a deep breath and closed his eyes. The other two followed suit. "You can open your eyes," he said softly.
Dudley opened his eyes. The first thing he noticed was that it was dark. The second thing was the huge mediaeval castle to his right. For the first time in his life, he gazed upon Hogwarts Castle. "You went to school here?" he asked
"We did," Harry said. "In these halls, we learnt magic and planned mischief. We made friends and we got hurt maybe more than we should have."
"Speak for yourself scarhead," Draco said without any of the animosity that had once filled that word.
Harry shrugged. He wasn't going to argue with Draco about that. "Let me give you the tour of my first few years," he said. He walked up to the big double doors and threw them open. Then the story was on. He told them about Quirell.
"Never liked the guy."
He told them about Aragog.
"Please say they're gone."
The Basilisk.
"It can't have been that big."
Describing Dementors to Dudley was easier done by letting him feel how they were.
"Please tell me those don't just roam around," Dudley said.
"They could if the Dark Lord gets his way," Harry said.
Draco was just shaking his head. "How are you not dead?" he asked.
"Good luck and a lot of help," Harry said. Then he told Dudley about the tournament and they followed a much younger Harry over to the dragons.
Dudley walked forward. He'd never seen a proper dragon before just what movies made them out to look like. He was getting a feeling that some movie people knew about the magical world. Then the world turned black.
"Did that dragon really say what I thought she said?" Draco asked.
Harry shrugged. "How about we find out," he said. "Let me introduce you to Katla and Rashall." He walked through a door and into a room filled with golden light from a fire.
"She's bloody massive," Dudley said as he saw Katla.
"She is a Blacksmith by profession," Harry said.
"And that dude is like a cat or something," Dudley said as he turned to Rashall.
"Rashall is a Khajiit," Harry said. He walked them through the situation with the Dragon Crisis and Civil War. Seeing Katla fight a dragon for the first time had Dudley in awe while Draco could see where Kato had gotten his blatant disregard for his own safety from.
"Katla defeated Alduin the World-Eater and married Balgruuf Jarl of Whiterun. They brought the Holds together and called the moot who voted on Balgruuf as the next High King. So Katla became the Forge Queen or Dragon Queen. I travelled up to High Hrothgar and spent quite some time learning from the peaceful dragon Paarthurnax before going to the Bard's College. That is when the first iteration of Kato was born."
"He looks like the child of Granger and Longbottom," Draco said.
"That was kind of the point," Harry said. "I needed him to look nice and reliable."
"Orcs are insane," Dudley said as they watched Urzant's wedding ceremony.
"That explains the scar I guess," Draco said. "And why you haven't removed it."
From there Harry took them to the College of Winterhold, the creation of the real Kato and Rhavaniel.
"Could you not get involved for once," Draco asked once the Psijiic Order had left. "You seem incapable of keeping your nose out of trouble."
"I'm too curious," Harry said.
"You loved her," Dudley pointed out. He wasn't watching what was going on around them anymore. He was looking at Harry. He had seen Harry avoid looking at Katla and Rashall once he had introduced them before now, but it was nothing compared to Rhavaniel.
"I did," Harry said simply.
They watch Kato and Rhavaniel find the Staff of Magnus and save the College. They followed them around Skyrim as they travelled. Rhavaniel made the cure. Then the War really took off.
"This is more epic than any movie I've seen," Dudley said when Harry flew off into battle.
As Harry was sent back the world turned dark. They closed their eyes and when they opened them again they were sitting in the living room at Ennerdale.
"So how do we know that wasn't just something you made up?" Draco asked.
"The things I brought back with me and the fact that you can use the same magic I can. While I could weave a powerful illusion there is no way I could trick everyone I have told," Harry said. "As I have told everyone else that I have shown these things, you decide if you want to believe me or not. Severus, Alastor Moody, Lucius, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Hermione, Viktor Krum, Bill, Fleur, Charlie they all have chosen to take what proof I have provided and believe in me."
"I believe you," Dudley said. "Sure it could be a whole magic thing meant to trick me, but why would you waste that on me? In this world… the world you live in I'm a nobody." He looked at Harry. His cousin was amazing. He knew he wouldn't have survived half the things Harry had been through. Harry had though, despite the way his parents had treated him. Despite the way, Dudley himself had treated him. He owed his cousin a big apology, and he didn't even know where to start.
Harry rose. "It is getting late maybe we should get you back home," he said.
Dudley nodded. "Yeah that would probably be a good idea," he said. He stood up slowly and walked out with Harry leaving Draco behind.
Draco stood up once he heard the car engine. He guessed Harry was right. It really was up to him. Did he think that Harry was so powerful he could bend reality? He shook his head and scoffed. No, he didn't think so. Sometimes the simplest answer was the right one. Harry was telling the truth. Too many things added up including the goblins or Dwemer.
"Think Harry is a complete lunatic?" Bill asked.
Draco shook his head. "He could if things didn't make so much sense," he said.
"Fair assessment," Bill said.
"So what the hell do I call him?" Draco asked.
"Harry when he looks like himself and Kato when he looks like Kato," Bill said.
"And my Master is?"
"Kato," Bill said. "I don't think Harry is planning on telling the whole world that he and Kato are the same anymore. He used to, but things have changed. It is probably better if everyone else believes that Kato is your Master when he eventually disappears."
Draco nodded slowly. He guessed in some strange way he was alright with that.
24th of June 1998.
The next day Draco made it downstairs later than he had intended. Thankfully, Winky still had breakfast out. He figured maybe he should head over to the Manor and see his parents. He guessed telling Harry might be a good idea. Once he had finished breakfast he asked Winky where he could find Harry. He headed outside and walked towards the sanctuary. It looked like Harry was going over the grounds and setting runes.
"I was thinking of saying hello to my parents," Draco said.
"Will you be back by dinner?" Harry asked.
"I don't know?" Draco said.
"You could always invite your parents along," Harry said. "Sirius and Remus are coming back later today."
Draco grimaced. "I don't think cousin Sirius likes me much," he said.
"Tough for him. He doesn't need to stay here anymore. His name has been cleared," Harry said.
"I'll ask mother what she thinks," Draco said.
"Tell her I know what happened to Regulus," Harry said.
Draco nodded. He wasn't sure how that would affect his mother. She didn't speak much of Regulus, but when she did it was with fondness.
Harry waved goodbye as Draco left before going back to work. He had people from the Ministry and a representative of the MacFusty Clan coming over in just a few days. He'd have it all ready by then. He smiled as Golrii flew past. Yolliz had already picked her nesting spot. There were eggs on the way no matter the verdict.
"Looking good," Dumac said as he came walking.
"A little more work and then we're up and running," Harry said.
"You told me to keep an eye out for elves," Dumac said. "We got two. Siblings by the look of it. They're young. Their owner died with no heirs. She bequeathed everything to the Ria Foundation, but the foundation doesn't need elves."
"We wouldn't mind taking them," Harry said. "If they are young we could teach them, but I'm not sure I have time right now."
"What do you want them to learn?" Dumac asked.
"One needs to learn how to care for animals like cows and chickens and pigs. The other one needs to learn how to care for dragons."
"If you care for their basic needs I can see if we can't set them up with some people who have the time to teach them," Dumac said. "I can't promise anything though."
"Good enough for me," Harry said. "Send them over. I need to talk to Winky. Is there anything else we need to do?"
"I have some papers for you to sign as well," Dumac said as he brought out several scrolls. He waited patiently as Harry finished what he was doing. You didn't hurry a working Master.
A few signatures later had Dumac packing his things again. "I'll send the elves over as soon as I get back," he said.
"Do they have names?" Harry asked.
"Dusty and Misty," Dumac said.
"I thank you for your visit Clan Brother," Harry said formally.
"My visit has been most fruitful, brother," Dumac said. He took out his pocket watch and opened it before disappearing.
Harry walked over to the house slowly. "Winky," he called.
"Master Harry called," Winky said as she appeared.
"We have young elves coming here," Harry said. "Will this be a problem?"
"What will new elfies be doing?" Winky asked.
"One will be trained to look after the dragons," Harry said. "The other I'm hoping that a farmer among my Dwemer brethren can teach to care for some animals. We are going to need our own stock if we are going to keep dragons."
Winky smiled. She knew she shouldn't have worried, but she didn't want anyone taking her job away. "That sounds like a wise idea, Master," she said.
"I'm expecting you to help me teach them right from wrong," Harry said.
"Of course," Winky said.
"Bring them to me when they arrive," Harry said. "I have to continue with the enchanting." He headed back out and got to work.
No more than ten minutes later he could hear Winky's angry voice before she brought two tiny elves over to him. "I see our newest additions have arrived," Harry said calmly.
"Dusty be bad elf ruining Winky's salad and rummaging through the laundry," Winky said while stomping her foot.
Harry sighed. He knew taking on young elves might be a problem, but he needed the help. "Dusty messing with the things Winky are doing is not alright," he said sternly.
"You not be Dusty boss," the little elf in question said.
The other little elf put her hands on her hips. "Misty be thinking this place look nice," she said. "Mistress be gone. Will never come back. Dusty need to grow up. We lucky someone can take both."
Harry knelt in front of Misty. "I need elves who can learn to care for dragons as well as chickens and cows and other animals," he said.
Misty's ears twitched excitedly. "Misty loves animals," she said.
"Will you be my elf Misty?" Harry asked.
Misty looked around. She loved the grounds and could feel the magic. The older elf Winiy looked happy and well cared for. "Misty wants to be Harry Potter's elf," she said.
Harry reached out and bound her magic to his the same way he had done with Winky. Misty smiled happily. She felt invigorated.
"If you are unhappy with your employment here we will talk about it. Under no circumstances will you be given clothes as a means to terminate your services," Harry said. "Now I was hoping that the two of you wouldn't mind becoming our resident dragon handlers and animal caretakers." He called Golrii over quickly. "This is Golrii. He is a Crystalback. He eats eggs, insects and fish, but can eat meat as well. I can speak to him and will teach you to do the same. On top of that, we will acquire chickens and cows, to begin with, but could very well come to expand later."
Misty smiled brightly. This was better than she could have ever imagined. When her mother had spoken about her life it had always seemed so dull. Taking care of the same family forever. Sitting around not doing much because there was nothing to do. It had been boring growing up that way.
Dusty sighed. He had wanted to go on an adventure or something like in Miss Farling's books not be stuck taking care of some stupid animals. Though he guessed the dragons were pretty cool. "Dusty doesn't know if this is what Dusty wants," he said. "But Dusty will stay to make Misty happy." He walked up to Harry. "Dusty will be Harry Potter's elf." His big blue eyes widened when the magic of his new owner washed over him. He felt overwhelmed. Miss Farling had felt like a fly on the wall compared to this man. He was almost a little scared except the magic was kind and caring.
"Now Winky will show you to your rooms," Harry said. "Please don't interrupt her work."
"Winky will make sure Misty and Dusty get comfortable," Winky said before popping away with the younger elves.
Harry finished up with the runes as the wards alerted him to the arrival of Sirius and Remus. He smiled brightly as Leoline came running towards him. "There you are, little cub," he said as he scooped the little boy up. "Had a good time?" he asked Remus.
"It has been good," Remus said. "I had to reel that one in a few times. He kept forgetting that we had a small child with us." He pointed at Sirius.
"Dinner will be in a few," Harry said. "Draco will be bringing his parents." He looked Sirius straight in the eyes. "You will behave or Winky will remove you," he said. "I have something I want to talk to all of you about, though, so please try."
Sirius sighed. "Way to kill a good mood," he said. "I'll do my best, but if they start some stupid purity crap I'm not going to stand for it."
"Fair enough," Harry said. He handed Leoline back to his father and headed upstairs to take a shower. His hair was still damp when he walked into the kitchen a short while later. "How are things going, Winky?" he asked.
"Misty be good elf willing to learn," Winky said. "Old Mistress taught them how to read and write so Winky gave her copy of Dragon Tongue dictionary. Dusty is different story. Winky thinks maybe he should go with Master."
"That might be wise," Harry said.
"Food will be done in a little bit," Winky said. "Master doesn't need to worry."
"That's great," Harry said. He headed over to the dining room to make sure that there were seats for their new elves. He was glad they had gotten them already. It would make things a lot easier once they got the Sanctuary running.
The wards pinged again as Draco arrived with his parents. Then Harry's eyes narrowed and he walked out to the entrance hall. "Did someone try to follow you?" he asked.
Draco gave him a surprised look. "Not as far as I know," he said.
"Bella might," Narcissa said. "She called for me after you had left. She might have chained in."
Harry turned slightly. "If she did, she is probably regretting it about now," he said. "My drop point is in the Atlantic."
"She can swim," Lucius said. He was looking around. "Your home suits you," he told Harry.
"Thank you, Lucius," Harry said. "Would you like a tour?"
Lucius nodded slowly. "That would be appreciated," he said.
Draco was surprised at just how much his father suddenly changed now that he knew he was in a safe house. He had never seen him smile so much in the last few years as he did while Harry told him about his home. That his mother acted differently wasn't as surprising to him, but his father had always been stoic.
The tour ended in the dining room where Remus had already seated his son.
"Oh, my what a sweetheart," Narcissa said as she moved around the table and took the chair on Leoline's left.
"I hope you are doing well Mr Lupin," Lucius said. "Your books are an inspiring breeze in a stagnant learning environment. Harry has been sending me copies."
"Top much of a cheapskate to buy them yourself?" Sirius asked as he sat down next to Harry.
"Not so. I simply would have overlooked them considering my son is quite a lot older than their intended audience," Lucius said.
"Similarly Lucius has been sending me books on politics and finances that he thinks I may find interesting," Harry said. "It is an equal exchange while I also promote Remus' books." He sighed. He knew this would be tense. "With the risk of ruining everyone's appetite may I start by telling you why I want you all in the same room?" he asked.
"Go ahead," Sirius said tensely.
"It might be for the best," Lucius agreed.
"A few days ago I found out how Regulus Black lost his life and why he died," Harry said.
"Why does it matter?" Sirius said. "He was Death Eater scum and followed Voldemort just like dear old Lucy here."
Harry sighed. "So the fact that Regulus found out how Voldemort achieved immortality and decided to act against him doesn't matter then," he said. He projected an image of Regulus' last letter onto the wall behind him so they could all read it.
Sirius seemed dumbstruck. He shook his head as he read through the note again and again. "Why didn't he come to me?" he whispered.
"Because you had made it exceedingly clear that you wanted nothing to do with us," Narcissa said. She looked at Harry. "How did he die?" she asked.
"Under the effects of the Potion of Despair to the hands of inferi. Or to my hand depending on when you consider his actual death to have occurred," Harry said. Sirius slammed his fist on the table. "He should have come to us. We could have helped."
"That doesn't really matter now," Harry said. "It is all in the past." He removed the locket that Regulus had left his message in from an inner pocket and threw it over to Sirius. "Have you seen anything like this?" he asked.
"Kreacher!" Sirius roared. He grabbed the locket and shoved it in the elve's face. "Have you seen anything like this?"
Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He rose from his chair and walked over to Kreacher while forcing Sirius back in his chair and grabbing the locket. "I found this on an island surrounded by the waters of the dead in a cave." He opened it and showed Kreacher the note. "I believe that Regulus wrote this message. Do you know anything about this?" His voice was calm and collected. He had knelt so he was on Krecher's level.
"If Kreacher tells you… will you destroy it?" Kreacher asked.
"Right here and now if you want me to," Harry said.
"The Dark Lord asked for a loyal elf," Krecher said. "Young Master offered him Krecher's services. We went to the island and …"
"You can skip that part," Harry said softly.
"Young Master had ordered Krecher to return so Krecher did. Kreacher told Master Regulus about what happened. He ordered Krecher to bring him there. We went…"
"And Regulus drank the potion," Harry said.
"Young Master ordered Krecher to leave with the locket. Krecher didn't want to … but orders are orders. Master Regulus ordered Krecher to destroy the locket, but Krecher couldn't," Krecher said. "Krecher failed Master Regulus' last request."
"Bring the locket," Harry said. "I promise I will help you honour your word."
Krecher nodded and disappeared.
"That filthy excuse for a…"
"Quiet," Harry hissed, silencing Sirius. "Please give him to me if you have nothing good to say about him. At least here with me, he will be cared for."
Sirius huffed angrily. "You know what," he said. "You are nothing like James. You take Malfoys into your home. You feel sorry for that wretched monster. Next thing you'll be kissing the Dark Lord's hem."
"Fine, leave and don't come back until you can care about someone other than yourself," Harry said. "You are no longer welcome at Ennerdale, you have an hour to pack and go. I will take over Kreacher for his own good." He watched Sirius storm out of the room and felt the wards ping as he left them. He had known that bringing Lucius and Sirius into the same room was a bad idea. They would never get along. His problem lay in how Sirius acted around Draco. He treated Draco just as badly even though Draco hadn't done anything to deserve it.
Remus had left with Leoline. Harry knew that Winky would make sure they got food. "I apologize for how this turned out," he told the Malfoys.
Lucius shook his head slowly. "No, apologies needed," he said.
Krecher showed back up clutching a locket. "Kreacher wants to see," he said.
"Not a problem," Harry said. He knelt back down and held his hands out. Kreacher placed the locket in his palms and he hissed to open it. Two beautiful dark eyes looked back at him from either half of the locket. Smoke rose to form a picture.
A twisted dark shade took shape, but Harry had felt the tug at his mind and blocked it. He drew his sword and pushed it down into the locket slowly. An intense hissing sound escaped it as the sword slid through. "Du Viik Sil," he growled.
Krecher stood in awe at the magic summoned by the man before him. He looked over at Narcissa and Lucius. This man held good company. He couldn't see Sirius anywhere anymore. Maybe he had left?
The evil in the locket was no more. Krecher felt relieved in finally having performed Master Regulus' last request, but he also felt lost and empty. What was he supposed to do now?
"Sirius didn't quite agree to give you to me," Harry said. "But considering how much the two of you despise each other I am willing to take over your services."
Krecher considered those words. "Who are you?" he asked. If he was to take a new Master he wanted to know who that person was.
"Harry James Kato Potter Peverell."
Krecher's eyes widened. Mistress would not be happy with him if he took in with a Potter… but he knew a little of the Peverells; they were mighty and not so light. Mistress would not mind that. In a strange way, he understood that becoming Master Harry's elf was a choice he had to make. He had been a Black family elf his entire life. Was he ready to change that? Sirius was not a good Black and everything he had would probably go to Harry or possibly the young child he had first seen when he got there. "Krecher will be Harry Peverell's elf," he said.
Harry chuckled. He didn't care what name the elves used since he used his dragon name for things like these. Magic swirled around them as he drew the runes onto Krecher. The magic settled and Krecher looked a little woozy. Harry led him over to an elf-sized chair and sat him down. Then he returned to the Malfoys. "How about we take dinner out to the lake?" he said. "I feel this room needs to air out after everything that has happened tonight."
"That sounds like a lovely idea," Narcissa said.
Harry led them out to a nice spot by the lake and Winky brought food out. She let Harry know that Remus and little Master Leoline had eaten already. The rest of the evening was spent speaking of simple things as the sun slowly set.
