I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Side Dishes
8th Course – Speaking with Words 3: The Fourth Year, Part 1
As per tradition, takes place during the timeline with the beginning starting the summer before Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts starting with the 45th Course of A Taste of Magic, when Harry leaves the Dursleys for the last time.
Hedwig flapped down to the window of the dormitory and kicked it open. " Chick!" She flew to him, landing in his lap and looked up at him worriedly. " Are you okay?"
She had known he would be gone for the day, back at the terrible Number 4 Privet Drive. She would have gone too but he had wanted her to deliver some post and she had thought with Dumbledore going with him, he would be fine and safe. Yet when she returned to the castle, she had felt something unsettled in their bond and she had flown to find him.
He was sitting in the dormitory, looking listlessly and broken. Hedwig put aside her feelings of anger and desire for burning revenge and wanted to comfort her boy.
" There there Chick," she cooed as he hugged her. She fluffed up against him, nuzzling him. " Those fat bastards are undeserving of your feelings! Forget about them! They're terrible, awful, excuses for people. You don't need them. They didn't deserve you and everything you did for them. You're the sweetest and best boy and you have nothing to feel bad about."
A flash of fire filled the room and Fawkes appeared too, flapping his wings lightly and landing on Harry's lap. " Is he okay?" Fawkes asked, looking worried.
" I don't think so," Hedwig said angrily, clacking her beak. " Those people are foul and deserve terrible things done to them."
"Poor Harry," Fawkes hummed, rubbing his head against Harry's chest.
The two birds sat with Harry, trying to exude as much comfort as possible.
" Oh I know!" Fawkes sang, his voice like a sprightly woodwind. " Maybe a bit of singing will perk him up!" Fawkes sang musically, taking heart when Harry smiled a little.
" You're flat," Hedwig said flatly, barking musically.
" Phoenixes are never flat!" Fawkes hummed indignantly.
" Then what are you because you're flat! You flat!" Hedwig hooted in song. They sang louder as Harry smiled more, happy to see him do that.
Harry looked up when the door to the dormitory knocked.
"Harry, may I come in?" Dumbledore asked.
"Of course, Sir," Harry said. He watched as Dumbledore entered. They had come straight to Hogwarts and Harry eventually found himself sitting on his bed in the dormitory of Gryffindor tower. The castle had felt silent and empty, just like it did during the other holidays. He had felt lost in a haze, sluggish and unsure.
Shortly after finding himself in the dormitory, Hedwig had kicked the window to the room open and had installed herself on his lap, cooing and nuzzling. He was grateful for her presence and hugged her, enjoying hearing her feathers rustling and feeling her fluff against him. Fawkes had come soon after and he had sat on Harry too, the two birds just being there with him. Eventually they started a singing competition and doubled their efforts when they saw Harry smile a little.
Dumbledore conjured a chair and sat across from Harry. "Harry, I am so sorry for what I have done to you."
"What did you do?" Harry asked, genuinely confused.
"I sent you to the Dursleys when you were a baby." Dumbledore looked every bit his age. His face was lined and he looked incredibly weary. "I…I thought it was the right thing to do. I thought Petunia loved her sister and she in turn would love you. There were protections that I you had that needed a blood relative's presence and I truly hoped that you would have a home there."
"Protections?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore sighed. "As you discovered through your encounters with the Dementors, your mother died for you," he said gently. "She invoked a magic that is old and powerful, one that would protect you with a powerful strength. She died for you, sacrificed herself for you. That magic is incredibly powerful and it did protect you that night."
"Oh." Harry touched his scar, running his finger tips over it.
"I failed you, Harry," Dumbledore continued. "With Sirius in Azkaban, with everything in turmoil, I genuinely thought you would be safe in the Muggle world with your blood Aunt to watch and care for you. I thought you would be safe there. I had hoped you would find a home there."
Tears started to carve a track down his face. "I have forced you to suffer something no child should. In my attempts to protect you, I had tortured you instead. I have lived a very long time and have many regrets and this will be among my worst. I am so sorry, Harry, and I hope you will allow me to make amends."
Harry looked down for a moment. "My mum loved me, didn't she?"
"So much."
"And my dad?"
"Yes. Without question."
The silence was still and heavy between them.
"I…do think you were trying to help," Harry said finally. "I understand, I think, and well, I'm not going to blame you. You didn't make them treat me like that."
"No, but perhaps I could have tried to keep tabs on you, keep an eye on you, and I did not. There I failed too."
Harry nodded but not in agreement, but for something to do. "But they didn't have to treat me like that either."
"No, they did not," Dumbledore said angrily.
"Why?" Harry looked up. "Why did they do that to me? I did what they wanted. I was happy cooking for them, because I thought that was something they wanted. All I wanted was to…be wanted."
" I want you!" Hedwig cheeped. " From before we met even! You're mine!"
"I want you too!" Fawkes chirped.
" You can have a little," Hedwig said begrudgingly.
"Oh Harry," Dumbledore said sadly. "People are capable of such wonders and such terrors, and sometimes there is no rhyme or reason."
"Just like magic," Harry said, remembering their conversation from the year prior."
"Indeed. I have seen people do incredibly good things and incredibly bad things." He sighed. "I have done both. People are capable of both. But good people will always do good and try to be good to the best of their abilities. Just like you."
He continued when Harry snorted softly. "Harry, you have endured horrific trial and the boy, the young man you are today is proof positive that you have overcome such things. You are good. You care for your friends. Even with a…'family' such as that, you do good. And while your skills and love for food and cooking came from a terrible moment, you have made it your own. She taught you one thing but you have learned on your own and from others since then. You did. No one else. Take pride in that."
Harry looked up at him, slightly hopeful.
Dumbledore pushed on. "You learned from experience and from other sources. You worked and practiced time and again out of a desire to better yourself and to enrich the lives of others. You have a kindness that is yours and people can see it. Nicolas and Perenelle, they had sequestered themselves off from most of the world before meeting you. Yet after, they are becoming more active once more. Drake was like a zephyr, blowing about without direction but now he is making changes and doing things on his own want and will.
"The Elves love you and let me tell you, none can force that. The House Elves, especially the ones here at Hogwarts, can be incredibly stubborn and are masters at doing things to the letter and never more. Yet they want to do things with you because you treat them with kindness and respect." Dumbledore smiled at Fawkes who sat on Harry's shoulder. "Fawkes is terribly picky about who he interacts with. He usually is quite aloof with most students and nowadays, if I do not seem him about, then I know he is with you."
Fawkes nodded emphatically, warbling warmly and emanating a soft comforting light. " It's true! I cannot remember the last time I cared for a student and there are many I actively do not care for. You are a wonderful boy with a very big and warm heart."
"They have taken so much from you," Dumbledore said. "Do not let them take your love of cooking from you. You made that your own. It is yours and no one else can lay claim or take credit. You deserve it and to be proud of it."
Harry felt a little better. "You think so?"
"I know so," Dumbledore said. "Perhaps this can help you see it another way. When a forest is overgrown, no new life can be had. Resources are choked, opportunity for life is throttled. A fire is needed to burn out the detritus before new growth can be had. A fire is a destructive thing, but a necessary one in the right circumstances. The forest that comes back after the fire will be much healthier, more vibrant, and will grow to be bigger and better than before."
"Are you saying we should set fire to Number 4?" Harry joked feebly.
Dumbledore threw his head back and laughed. "I have said it before but I admire your capability to find humor in moments where it is hard to find. No, unfortunately not, I am not saying that." He gave Fawkes a pointed look and Fawkes turned his head and whistled unconvincingly.
" Hey, if we're burning the place down, I want in," Hedwig said, eyes glittering.
" We will have to see if we can do it without Albus catching us," Fawkes sighed. " He's annoyingly good at catching me before I can get away with burning something down I should not."
"That said, I am making a clumsy metaphor saying to compare your…Petunia's actions in that incident as a fire that cleared you for future and better growth," Dumbledore continued.
"That is a nicer way of looking at it." Harry took a deep breath. His mind filled with all the memories of his time at Number 4, the innumerable dinner parties, the social gatherings, all the food he made for them, all the things he wanted to say and hear, all the things that went unsaid and unheard. As he breathed out, he felt them shift ever so slightly in his mind.
"I really appreciate it, Sir," he said. "Thank you and you've done a lot for me since I came to Hogwarts."
"And I will continue to do so," Dumbledore said. "So I swear on my name and my honor, tarnished as it is."
"Thank you. Maybe clue me in on large changes that involve me from now on?" Harry asked, half-jokingly.
"Deal." Dumbledore extended his hand and Harry shook it firmly. "I will try and never disappoint you again Harry. I would say I would not but I am not infallible, clearly. I will always do my best, however, and make amends when I can."
"I understand that and that's fine with me," Harry said.
"Splendid. Thank you, Harry." Dumbledore sat back. "Would you like to rest for the remainder of the day and night? Or do you feel up to starting your next endeavor? The choice is yours of course."
Harry hesitated a little. "Is it okay if I'm not at my best right now?"
"I think so. It will be somewhat casual. If you rather wait, we can definitely do that, you will not lose the opportunity." Dumbledore looked at him kindly. "Some people find it easier to move on by throwing themselves into something new. Others prefer having time away to recover. Both have merit."
Harry sat there for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "I guess, I learn better by doing and being active is good, helps me think about something else for a moment."
"Said like an English gentleman with proper grit," Dumbledore said proudly. "I think you will enjoy yourself and allow me to say this, you will soon be given ample opportunity to seeing me in a different light."
"That sounds fun and ominous at the same time," Harry grinned.
" Oh this will be fun," Fawkes said brightly.
"Quite," Dumbledore chuckled. He rose to his feet and waited for Harry to join them. "Come along then Harry. To moving onto better and brighter things."
Harry felt just a little bit better. "To moving on," he echoed.
-0-
The silence between them as they walked was a comfortable one, one that did not need filling. They were both mulling over things in their minds but did not feel awkward around one another. Harry walked alongside Dumbledore, not questioning where they were going. He recognized the path out of the castle and down the hills towards Hogsmeade.
The summer air was warm and comforting, the sun beginning its westward track towards sleep and night. A light breeze blew over them as they walked, smelling of sunshine and grass. Fawkes and Hedwig would sit on his shoulders as they walked or flew about here and there, always returning and sometimes chasing each other in the air. Hedwig did most of the chasing of course.
" How are you this fast and agile?!" Fawkes cried as he flew fast.
" I'm the best at flying!" Hedwig barked as she chased.
They walked through the village and Dumbledore greeted many of the residents by name, smiling genially and waving. A word or two of small-talk but he never ceased walking, saying that he had important business to conduct with Harry. They finally slowed as they approached a building that stood on a side-street. "Harry, welcome to the Hog's Head Inn."
Harry looked at the building. It was older and slightly less neat and polished as the other stores in Hogsmeade. A large sign dangled over the door, emblazoned with a large boar's head. He followed Dumbledore inside and looked around the room. It was large and older looking, especially compared to the Three Broomsticks. Where the other tavern was brightly lit and polished, this one was a touch dingier but still clean. It was also a lot quieter. A long bar was at one end with tables dotting the large open space remaining.
The man at the bar turned when the door opened and gave Dumbledore a tired look. His eyes opened a little wider when he noticed Harry standing there too, as well as Hedwig and Fawkes sitting on his shoulders. Something about the man made him seem familiar to Harry, though he was not exactly sure why. He was reasonably sure they had never met. It took another moment for Harry to notice that the man's hair and beard was remarkably similar to Dumbledore's in color and quality, and he also had blue eyes that did not twinkle.
"What's with the kid and the birds?" the man asked, cleaning a glass with a cloth.
" What's with your face?!" Hedwig growled.
" Oh don't pay him any mind," Fawkes said comfortably. " Aberforth is just like that. He means nothing by it, he's naturally grumpy. Plus he's funny because he's one of the few people that can sass Albus and legitimately get under his skin."
"Harry, this is Aberforth Dumbledore," Dumbledore said. "Aberforth, this is Harry Potter." He smiled at Harry's look of shock. "Yes, he is my little brother." He sighed when Aberforth snorted. "In age, and not in size as you see."
" Oh, now I see the resemblance," Hedwig observed.
"Nice to meet you Sir," Harry said politely.
"No need to call me that," Aberforth said. He looked over at Dumbledore. "Really?"
"Yes, really," Dumbledore repeated dryly. "As we have discussed beforehand. Surely you did not forget."
"No but you didn't mention that he was a kid or the birds."
"Hedwig and Fawkes came along to visit, they will not be here all the time," Dumbledore said smoothly. "And I did say that Harry was young and a student."
Alberforth grunted. He looked at Harry, looking him up and down. "So, you're a cook?"
"Yes…uh…what do I call you if not Sir?" Harry asked. "Mr. Dumbledore?"
"That might get confusing," Alberforth snorted when he and Dumbledore both looked like they were about to respond. "Plus I don't want to be called that neither. Abe's fine, that's what he calls me anyways," he said, jerking a thumb at Dumbledore. "Old man or barkeep works too."
He snorted again when Harry looked mildly uncomfortable at that. "Well, off you go then. Go into the kitchen, cook what you think you'd serve here. Four portions at least. Use anything there, don't be fancy."
"Okay, what do you normally serve here?" Harry asked.
"Food. Now go on, time's ticking."
After Dumbledore gave him a comforting look and an encouraging nod, Harry walked to the kitchen and Hedwig and Fawkes fluttered to the window to sit so they could watch while giving Aberforth a cool look.
" Okay, he is being especially grumpy today," Fawkes conceded with a glower.
" I'll rip his beard out, hair by hair," Hedwig hissed.
"Would it kill you to be kinder?" Dumbledore asked, exasperated.
"You came to the wrong place for kindness. Seriously, why did you bring him here?" Aberforth asked.
"We have discussed it," Dumbledore sighed. "You could use the help as well as revamping the menu so to speak. Harry needs the experience in cooking for strangers and a more professional environment."
"What exactly in this place says professional?" Aberforth asked. "Or me?"
"As in not in a home or club kitchen for people who are not his friends," Dumbledore retorted. "Also, the main reason is that I trust you, Abe."
"Trust me to be an ass," Alberforth grunted.
"That and many other things," Dumbledore said dryly. "You can teach him much."
-0-
After a few hours, Aberforth walked into the kitchen. "How you feeling?" he asked, his voice a little less brusque.
"Tired, but good," Harry said truthfully. He had worked very hard those hours. They got more orders than Aberforth had thought and Harry had to hurriedly make a new batch of soup as well as a few more batches of chips. He had to clean as he went and he was grateful that he was good with the Scouring Charm, it saved considerable time. Finally, the orders stopped coming and he was now finishing cleaning.
"You did good," Aberforth said. "Especially for your first day."
"Thank you," Harry smiled, weary but happy.
"I normally stop serving food around this time. You head back, it's dark but I saw your owl waiting outdoors. Normally you can do prep for the next day at night and while I know this area's safe, don't want to chance it. When the weather's bad or it's real late, you can use my Floo. You want to use it now?"
"Hedwig is out there? I'll walk, I'm not that tired but can I make something for her?"
"Sure. And take what food you want yourself. We'll figure out tomorrow's menu tomorrow when you come in. Go on then."
It was a tired but happy Harry walking back to the castle. Hedwig had landed on his shoulder and nuzzled him when he left the Hog's Head, happy for her sandwich. She then wriggled around so that she could rest her head on his and fluffed up behind his head, draping herself over him slightly. She hooted softly.
" Mmm, chicken sandwich. Thank you, Chick. How are you feeling? How was tonight?"
"It was nice," Harry said, yawning. "Mr. Abe isn't as scary as he looks."
She barked gently and patted his cheeks with her wings. " He better not be, if he knows what's good for him. I'm proud of you Chick! Such a good worker. You make such tasty food."
"Thank you," he smiled.
-0-
" I don't want to be in the cage. It's undignified."
Harry looked at Hedwig and then back at the cage. "But we're apparating and I think you have to ride in the cage. I don't want you to get splinched."
Hedwig shuddered. " No, that would be very bad. I just have to be in a contained space, right? I have a better idea." She fluttered to Harry's shoulder and then crawled down his front and into his shirt.
"That tickles," Harry laughed. He waited for her to settle against his front. "You okay?"
" I'm good," she hooted back, fluffing up comfortably against him.
Harry patted her gently through his shirt and made his way to the grounds of Hogwarts, smiling at a waiting Remus.
Remus smiled. "You ready?" His smile was replaced by a small frown. "Have you, how do I put this delicately, put on weight recently?"
Harry grinned and gently patted the front of his shirt. The large bump shook and hooted. "Hedwig doesn't love apparition and doesn't want to ride in her cage so we're going to try this."
"Ah, that makes sense," Remus said, smile returning. "Right then, to your new home!" He put his hand on Harry's shoulder and the three of them were whisked away with magic, appearing in a small stand of trees beside a busy London street.
"In the future, once you are more familiar with the place and have been added properly to the wards, you'll be able to Floo or we can Apparate into the secured place for it in the home," Remus explained. "Since this is your first visit, we thought this would be best."
"That'll be good," Harry said, shaking his head slowly to shake away the effects of the apparition. He patted the Hedwig bump gently, feeling her hoot with discomfort and disgust.
" Apparition is for the two-legs!" Hedwig hooted with disgust. " How do you tolerate it?! I mean you have to because you poor things can't fly but still! Can't you do something more pleasant?!"
"And Hedwig will know how to fly there after visiting today, right?" Harry asked.
"Yes indeed," Remus said. He led Harry out of the stand of trees and down the street. "There, you can see it now," he said, pointing. "Number 12, Grimmauld Place."
Harry looked at it as they approached. The street itself looked like many other streets, though a bit quieter and grayer. The row of homes were older, riding that thin line between aged and neglected. As they approached Number 12, he felt a slight tingle over his skin. It was something he had grown accustomed to, the feeling of ambient magic. The door opened as they reached the landing and Sirius beamed at them.
"Welcome!" he practically shouted, his smile from ear to ear. He looked far healthier than the last time Harry had seen him. They had exchanged letters fairly regularly since they last interacted in person, but it had been almost a month since they saw each other face to face. Sirius was no longer gaunt, his skin no longer waxy and sunken. His hair was shoulder-length but neat and his eyes lost their manic quality.
"You look great!" Harry said happily.
"Thanks! I feel great," Sirius said. "You look great too!" He looked at the bump and looked confused. "Wait, did you have that before?"
Harry chuckled and opened his shirt a bit and Hedwig came climbing out. She wriggled her way out and clambered onto his head, looking about with interest. " Well this is a grim old nest," she observed, looking around.
"We did that for apparating," Harry said
"Ah that makes sense. Well, what do you think?" Sirius asked, arms up and gesturing to the house.
The interior was dark wood, almost black. Magical lanterns hung from the walls, shining warmly. The general sense of time passed and neglect was a touch stronger within the home, but there was a feeling of difference too, of things being moved and aired out. Things were moved haphazardly about and looked out of place somewhat.
"Bit of a work in progress admittedly," Sirius said with a light tone.
"It looked much worse before," Remus said wryly.
" How?" Hedwig asked, looking around with a narrowed eye.
"It did," Sirius laughed. "This was my ancestral home and let me tell you, it's always been a dark and grim place, fitting the name. No one lived here save for the House Elf while I was away in prison and it got left to rot and languish a bit. Been a fight to get things cleaned up and the like so that's why you haven't been able to move in yet, sorry about that."
"I'm in no rush," Harry said. "I'm excited to live with you."
Sirius' smile grew wider somehow. "Me too! Don't worry, your room is next on the list. We had to make it safe to even move about first. Then me and Remus cleared a room to bunk together while working on this place. It's been slow going but it's working."
"I could've come help," Harry said.
"Nah, you got your summer project things," Sirius smiled easily. "Though if you have a moment to pop over here and there I won't say no. Actually that's part of why you're here today but still, it's coming along." He started leading them deeper into the house.
"Whoa! What happened there?!" Harry gasped, pointing. A large spot on the wall looked utterly destroyed, the wall broken and burnt. Debris littered the ground and lines of complicated looking symbols were drawn around it and a tiny fire smoldered in the middle.
"Oh that," Sirius said, looking irritated and satisfied in equal measure. "So turns out, my mother made a magical painting of herself before she passed and it was here all this time. She never liked me when she was alive and her painting hated me even more, especially since I'm the Head of the Blacks now and all that."
"I'm sorry," Harry said softly.
Sirius smiled sadly. "Me too, if I'm being honest. Anyways, she was even more verbally abusive and causing all this ruckus and wouldn't voluntarily leave. So we had to get rid of the painting and let me tell you, that was a fight. Turns out she left a spell chain in it that allowed her to leave the painting. I had to duel her, force her back into it, before we doused it with potions and holy water to exorcise the evil spirits and burned it down to cleanse the area."
Harry blinked at him a few times with Hedwig doing the same. Then they both turned their heads to look at Remus.
" Is he lying? I feel like he's lying," Hedwig hooted.
"The painting was really resistant to a lot so we doused it in paint thinner, magical and mundane," Remus said with a smile. "Sirius tripped and knocked over a candle and the painting went up in flames. We managed to keep it contained but couldn't put it out and now we are purifying the area and rebuilding it magically."
" Okay yeah, that sounds more feasible," Hedwig giggled.
"Let me tell my stories," Sirius said grumpily.
"He very heroically tripped over the candle to banish the evil spirit and cleanse it with flame fueled by holy potions," Remus amended. "It was a glorious fight."
"Okay that's better," Sirius sniffed. He could not help himself from chuckling though while Harry and Remus laughed. He led them down the hall and pushed open the large double door. "And here is where we need your expertise, Harry."
Harry gasped with delight, looking around the very large room. Unlike the rest of what he saw of Grimmauld, it was sparkling clean and felt fresh. The stone floors gleamed and the walls were clean and bare. The ceiling was tall and arched in places, providing an open feeling. A very long plain dinner table was along one side and the other side was the kitchen, a large stove sat there and lots of counters and tables were about. A line of cabinets and drawers lined the other wall and Harry saw a door cracked open and showing shelving and racks within. A very large ice box was in the corner and an oven was built into the wall, made of heavy brick with a metal door. "This is amazing!" he said happily and Hedwig flapped her wings in agreement.
" Oh now this is very nice! Very open and spacious. I like this!"
Sirius looked just as happy, as did Remus. "I don't know much about how to cook, well I know nothing really, but nothing but the best for you! I got the base stuff here and you're going to help us set it up and tell me what else to get for us."
"That sounds like too much for me," Harry said, looking about wistfully.
"No it isn't," Sirius said, his good humor replaced by sincere seriousness. "You deserve it and I'll say it's for me and everyone else that lives and visits here too. It's for us all but I want you to have what you want because you deserve it too. Trust me, I don't do something I don't want to."
"That's very true," Remus said warmly and resignedly. "He's quite stubborn."
"No I'm not!"
"And contrary."
"Eh, maybe that." Sirius grinned at Harry. "But yeah, I want you to be happy here."
"You want me here, I'll be happy," Harry said sincerely.
"More than you know," Sirius said, patting Harry on the shoulder. A ringing sound came from his pocket and he pulled out a gold watch, opening it to check the time. "Ah dammit. We need to go get the furniture shipment or else they'll charge me double and send it back. Not to mention the other things."
"Oh right, we can do that swiftly and be back soon," Remus said.
"Do you mind if we hop out and come right back?" Sirius asked Harry.
"Not at all! I'll start getting things organized here."
"Great! You do that, write a grocery list and when me and Remus get back, we'll get the other stuff and we'll help here and we can eat together. Oh and you'll meet Andi and Ted and Nymphadora and it'll be great, they're coming too. Be right back!" He and Remus left, leaving Harry and Hedwig in the kitchen.
"It's so spacious," Harry said out loud with wonder. "And we'll get to be here."
Hedwig hooted happily and flew about the room. She landed on the counter and fluffed up, looking at him. " You deserve it Chick. And we can spend time together and not have to be looked at by your ugly excuses for bloodkin. We can enjoy time together and we don't have to worry about nagging and greedy pigs."
"Yeah, you'll get to join me here," he said happily, smiling wider when she did a hop-skip dance. "Maybe we can put in some perches and roosting spots for you. Let's pick some places." He and Hedwig walked around and marked off a few likely places for her with a charcoal pencil he found. Then he started moving things around, pushing tables and things about while Hedwig gathered scraps of trash and things, piling them up. Time passed pleasantly as they worked.
"Who are you?"
Harry jumped, banging his head on the top of the cabinet and winced, crawling out and scrambling up. He was not expecting someone else to be there and the rough croaking voice had startled him. He looked about before looking down and saw a House Elf staring up at him. Unlike the ones at Hogwarts, he looked rather mean and sour, wearing a towel wrapped around his waist. He was older too, his skin very wrinkled and aged, and his large eyes were narrowed with suspicion and hostility.
"Oh, hello," Harry said, rubbing the sore spot on his head. "I'm Harry Potter. This is Hedwig." He pointed at his owl who had fluttered over and was looking at the House Elf with mirrored suspicion. "It's nice to meet you."
" Is it?" Hedwig looked at Kreacher beadily. " He looks and feels quite unpleasant."
The elf blinked a few times, looking confused.
"May I know your name?" Harry asked, feeling awkward. He was used to the Hogwarts House Elves who were all very friendly, even before getting to know them.
"Kreacher," the elf said after a long moment. "What is you doing here?"
"I'm going to live here eventually. I'm Sirius' godson," Harry said.
A loud pop heralded the arrival of another House Elf. She was younger than Kreacher, wearing a neater towel tied in a toga. "Kreacher! We needs to be finishing the second floor!" She stopped when she realized Harry was there and she gaped up at him. "Oh! Who is you?"
"Harry Potter," Harry repeated. "And this is Hedwig. Nice to meet you."
She blinked at him a few times with obvious confusion. "I is Winky, and it is…nice to meet you…too?"
" It is nice," Hedwig said threateningly.
"What is you doing here?" Kreacher asked truculently. He ignored Winky's scandalized huff.
"I'm cleaning and organizing the kitchen," Harry said. "I cook and Sirius wanted my input on how to set things up and what I want to do here."
"You cook?" the elves asked in unison.
"Elves cook, not masters," Winky said.
"Well I like to cook and cook a lot," Harry said. "And I'm not your master."
"You are Bad Master's godson, his ward," Kreacher said, his lips curling. "You is master too."
"Do not call Master Sirius that!" Winky scolded.
"Kreacher needs no elfling to tell him what to do," he retorted. "He is Bad Master, and Bad Master is he! You is new elf to the Blacks!"
Harry watched the squabbling elves for a moment before sharing a look with Hedwig. The owl shrugged and waddled off, continuing to collect the wrappings and cord and things. " So these two are bit battier than the ones at Hogwarts. Takes all kinds I suppose."
Suddenly Kreacher stopped and looked at Harry. Something Winky said made him sniff and then he sniffed several times, stopping in mid-argument. "You have elf magic on you," he said, eyes curious.
"I do?" Harry asked, unsure of what Kreacher meant.
"You do," Winky said, also looking curious. She was about to continue her argument when Kreacher cut her off but now her curiosity was piqued. "Is very strong and subtle." She reached her hand out to Harry, palm flat.
A loud crack cut the air and Inky appeared, holding Quarters' swagger stick at the ready in both hands. "Harry! Is you okay?!"
"Inky!" Harry gasped and Kreacher and Winky took hurried steps back when Inky growled at them, swinging the stick in a decidedly business-like and violent way. "I'm fine, are you okay?!"
"Inky is fine!" Inky said cheerily. She narrowed her eyes at Kreacher and Winky. "Who is you?"
"That's Kreacher and that's Winky," Harry said, introducing them. "This is Inky, she's a really good friend of mine from Hogwarts."
"Friend?" Kreacher repeated, eyes widening at Inky's wide smile. "You is friend with House Elves?"
"Harry is Inky's very good friend," Inky said proudly.
"Did you put your magic on me?" Harry asked.
Inky nodded. "After that mess with Dobby, Inky wanted to make sure if any House Elf bothered you again, Inky would know and react accordingly." She waved the stick meaningfully.
"Aww, thanks," Harry said, feeling touched. "Does Quarters know you took his swagger stick?"
"He knows, Inky grabbed it from him when Inky left Hogwarts." Inky looked around the kitchen with a critical eye. She waved the stick jauntily when Hedwig waved a wing at her. "Hello Miss Hedwig." ( "Hello Inky.) She poked about the kitchen. "Where is Harry now?" she asked, clear disapproval in her expression.
"This is the Ancestral Home of the Ancient and Noble House of Black," Kreacher said angrily, straightening slowly and stiffly.
"Oh, sounds very impressive," Inky said and sounding not impressed at all. She ran a finger along one surface and inspected it before giving Kreacher and Winky a look.
" It's really not," Hedwig snorted. " But we'll make do."
"The home has been abandoned for many years," Winky said crossly, giving Kreacher an exasperated look. "And was ill-kept! Years of work having to do and only been a few days!"
"Mmhmm," Inky grunted. "Harry coming home to Hogwarts later, right?"
Harry hid a smile as Kreacher and Winky bristled. "I am. I'm visiting for the day but will be moving here eventually."
"Less of your cheek," Kreacher growled. "And you addressing Master Harry very improperly." He ignored Winky's sardonic look of irritation.
"Harry told Inky that Inky can call him Harry because we are friends," Inky said smugly. "Harry is friend to many Elves at Hogwarts."
"Master Harry said he cooks," Winky said with a trace of disbelief in her tone.
"Harry is amazing cook," Inky said firmly. "Inky loves Harry's food. Harry's food is served at Hogwarts too and has been written into the Book."
The kitchen door opened and Remus and Sirius walked back in, stopping at the sight of the three House Elves there, with Inky holding the swagger stick earning a second look.
"Oh, hello Inky," Remus said.
"Hello Professor," Inky said, waving with a free hand.
"Sirius, meet Inky," Harry said. "Inky, that's Sirius Black."
"Inky remembers," Inky said, giving the man a look. "He broke into Hogwarts last year."
"Right, yeah, I did," Sirius said sheepishly.
Inky made a small noise and turned away. "Inky has to get back to Hogwarts. Harry feel free to call for Inky when he needs help." She gave the room a final look that included Winky and Kreacher. "Whenever Harry needs help."
"I will," Harry smiled. "Say hi to the others for me and make sure Quarters gets his stick back."
"Of course. If Quarters complains too much, Inky will give it back directly." She made a shoving motion and she and Harry laughed before she popped away, waving at Hedwig as she did.
" Bye Inky!"
"Kreacher will not stand for this," the elderly elf seethed. "Disrespected by an elfling!" He popped away and Winky scowled and popped after him.
"So you met Kreacher and Winky," Sirius said conversationally. "Kreacher was old when I was growing up here, now he's nearly as ancient as the House. Well not really but he's old. He's served the Blacks for ages."
"Where did Winky come from?" Harry asked.
"I got a large chunk of the Crouch estate," Sirius said, his smile feral. "For his 'misdeeds' against me. Since he and his last remaining heir got punished together, they lost the family holdings and it was divided among the many people they've screwed over the years, but I got the majority. I took in Winky because I honestly thought Kreacher was dead. They've been fighting a lot. Kreacher doesn't like me much, and it's mutual, while Winky is upset at the loss of the Crouches but wants to work in a proper home and House, which she has trouble thinking the Blacks are. Which, fair."
He gave Hedwig an amused look. The owl had gathered all the wrappings and things and made a very large mound nest out of them and was sitting on the top, surveying her domain.
" I claim this kitchen in my name to be used by my Chick how he wishes!"
-0-
"For the better?" Andromeda sighed when Sirius nodded. "Well, there is that at least. We will do what we can." She and Sirius looked to the door when they heard a strange sound. When Sirius waved his wand to open it, Hedwig came flying in. She dropped a scrap of parchment onto the desk and bobbed her head before flapping out.
" And here you are. You better hurry down. Pinky looks very hungry and I've seen how wide she can make her mouth. It's honestly quite impressive."
-0-
"I understand why Harry has the blindfold, but why are you wearing one as well?" Andromeda asked dryly.
"Because I want his reaction to be a surprise," Sirius said.
"You're facing the wrong way," Remus snickered.
Harry smiled as he listened to them talk. He was finally moving into Grimmauld place. The home was still not completely done. There were many rooms that required renovation and repair as well as all sorts of things to be accomplished, but his bedroom was done as well as the kitchen and the first floor and the rooftop gardens. A few guest rooms were able to be used with Sirius' and Remus' rooms also finished. Harry had happily wanted to move in when able and had just arrived with his things.
" And go a half-step to the left, yup like that. Avoid that frankly hideous looking umbrella stand. Is that a troll leg? Who the hell has a troll leg umbrella stand?! What kind of décor is this? You people have no taste. Bless my feathers. Half-step right and go straight, Chick."
Hedwig sat on his head, acting as seeing-eye owl, and was carefully directing him by leaning to the appropriate side so he would follow suit. She rolled her eyes and sniggered when Sirius turned blindly around to face another blank wall.
" You dummy!"
"Take that off," Andromeda sighed and took the blindfold off of Sirius. "Now, here we are." She opened a door and gently maneuvered Harry into the room and then took off his blindfold. "What do you think?"
Harry gasped when he looked around. The room was enormous, larger than any two rooms at Number 4 combined, certainly larger than the spare room and Dudley's put together. A very large bed sat against the inner wall, made of dark wood and with four posts, a large curtain pulled back neatly. The floor was covered with soft pale grey carpet, the walls were cream colored and warm. Brand new furniture lined the walls, complete with a large desk. It faced a window that pointed away from the London street, showing the inner courtyard of Grimmauld. A tower that had perches and an owl nest bed sat beside the desk and the window. Finally, two doors revealed a walk-in closet and a large bathroom adjoining.
"This…this is all for me?" Harry asked with wonder.
"All for you," Sirius said, blinking swiftly. "This is your room. Do you like it?"
"I really do," Harry said, a large smile on his lips. "Thank you so much, I can't believe it!"
"We can redecorate it however you like," Andromeda said warmly. "But we started with this as a good base."
"It's perfect," Harry said sincerely. "I really appreciate it." He smiled when Hedwig flew to her tower and sat in her bed, hooting with obvious satisfaction.
" Finally! You get a proper space and place for yourself and I of course get one befitting my status as best owl. About time."
"We already enchanted the window to allow her to enter and leave at her convenience," Remus said. "And she will be the only owl that can. Any others will arrive at the first floor window first."
"That's wonderful." Harry looked down at his trunk and school bag. They held all his possessions and even so, they were not full. "I don't have enough things to warrant all this space."
"That's easily fixed," Sirius said. He shyly put an arm around Harry's shoulders. "Welcome home, Harry."
Harry hugged him back. "Thank you for giving me a home," he said softly
-0-
They heard Sirius' scream well before he appeared. It started off faint but grew in strength, rising to full volume as he ran into the kitchen. Harry had been alarmed when he first heard it, thinking something was wrong, only to be allayed by Remus and Andromeda saying that Sirius screaming like that was more or less normal. Or at least not an actual emergency.
"Yes Sirius, what is it?" Andromeda asked blandly, looking up at him from her tea cup.
"What day is it?!" Sirius asked, panting. He caught the newspaper that Dora threw at him. "Where's the date where's the date oh there you are YES!" He threw the paper down onto the tabletop. "Good!"
"Something exciting about today?" Dora asked.
"No, not really. More like I'm glad it wasn't what I thought it was." He smiled broadly at a bemused Harry. "Harry! What are we doing this Sunday?!"
"Uhm, I thought we were finishing the third floor on my next day off," Harry said.
"We finished the third floor I thought," Andromeda frowned.
"No we still have a room. We finally found the key that opened the door. It shouldn't take long to clear however," Remus said. "It's not full of dark artifacts for once. And nothing died in it either."
"How many rooms have you found something that died in it?" Dora asked, nose wrinkled.
"More than one, which is really concerning honestly," Ted said.
Sirius waved his hands. "Harry, are you messing with me right now?"
"I don't think so," Harry said, looking down at himself. He looked over at Hedwig who was perched on her roost and she shook her head at him. "Pretty sure I'm not."
" No, you're not," Hedwig confirmed.
Sirius gaped at him. "Harry, it's your birthday."
"Oh right," Harry said with dawning realization.
"'Oh right'?!" Dora repeated, looking at Harry with horror. "What kind of response is that?!"
"I'm not used to celebrating it," Harry said weakly. He flushed when Sirius and the Tonks stared at him and Remus sighed unhappily.
"And what does that mean?!" Dora asked, voice rising.
"Like it sounds," Remus said, saving Harry from responding. His voice was low and bitter.
"I…what?" Sirius shook his head as if he was punch-drunk and unsure of what he heard. "But…what?"
"The Dursleys never celebrated it," Harry said finally. "And I stopped asking to. They used to schedule a dinner party on it instead and I'd cook for it and clean after."
"What the fuck," Dora spat.
Andromeda looked at Harry with a wide-eyed expression, too shocked to not chide Dora for her language. "That…that is horrific," she said at last.
"Things got better," Harry said, trying to dispel the awkwardness. "My first year of Hogwarts, I got Hedwig and she's the best." He smiled when Hedwig flew to him and she pressed herself against his face, sitting on his shoulder and cooing lovingly.
" I love you Chick, so much. I'm so happy you're here with me," she cooed. " You're my boy and my chick and you're the best gift I could have ever wanted. My life would be so much worse without you."
"And last year, Professor Dumbledore took me to Sheen and Remus got me some really nice books too," Harry added.
Ted coughed in the ensuing silence. "That means we can make this year's a really good one, right everyone?"
"Right," Andromeda said firmly.
"What do you want to do?" Sirius asked, shaking his head violently as if to shake thoughts and feelings away. "Do you want to go back to Sheen? I can get reservations. They'll do anything for the right amount of gold. Or travel somewhere? We can go lots of places!"
Harry flushed, put on the spot. Actually being asked what he wanted was a novel experience, and having so many options was almost as paralyzing as having none. "Could we have a party here?" he asked finally. "I'd really like to have some friends over."
"As many as you want," Sirius said. "Seriously. Invite who you want and they'll all be welcome. We have space a plenty and the garden and the first floor here are all set. You write up a list and we'll make up some formal invitations and it'll be done."
"Anyone?" Harry asked, growing excited.
"Anyone and everyone," Sirius smiled. "And I'd offer to get you whatever you want to eat but I've a feeling you want to make it all."
"You don't have to cook on your birthday if you don't want to," Ted said kindly.
"I want to. I like cooking for people and seeing them happy," Harry said.
"If it makes you happy, then that is what will happen," Andromeda smiled.
"Thanks!" Harry beamed at them. "Let me make a quick list before I leave for Gringotts today and I'll finish the list tonight when we get back." He left the kitchen with Hedwig installed firmly on his head, his smile from ear to ear.
" And I'll deliver them all to ensure they get it and you'll have the best birthday!" Hedwig declared, flapping her wings and glaring at the heavens, as if daring them to do anything else.
Andromeda waited for his footsteps to fade before she looked at Remus and Sirius. "Never celebrated with him before?! Who were his guardians before?"
"Petunia," Remus said sourly, face twisted. "Lily's sister."
"His own family did that to him?!" Dora gasped.
"I still can't believe he went there," Sirius growled. "She hated her sister! And James!"
"Why?" Ted asked.
"Lily was Muggleborn," Remus said. "Petunia is a Muggle."
"Ah, say no more," Ted said sadly. "I know what that's like."
"As do we, when it comes to family cruelty," Andromeda said sadly, nodding to Sirius. She smiled when Dora hugged her and Ted together.
"Fucking hell," Sirius swore. "This is all my fault. If I kept my head, I would have raised him and he would've been so much better."
"No use in saying that," Remus said gently but firmly. "I thought that a lot myself, when I was gone for all those years and only recently having slunk back. What is important is what we do now."
"Right, you're right." Sirius clapped his cheeks a few times. "And what's important is setting things right and being better. For him and ourselves."
"Let's make sure Harry gets a party that makes up for all those years," Dora said.
"Damn straight," Andromeda said firmly.
-0-0-0-
TheSphynx - Not if you want your blood to remain inside you that is.
Hufflepuffzd96 - I'm surprised I didn't think of it a long time ago honestly. It fits them just like Padfect and Parfect.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - Nope, not much of a reason at all but he got his just rewards for being a bad person. I did think it would be very funny that Frank Flourish would be more worried about the books than knife-hand. Thanks for reading.
Wentley - If you make something, might as well make it well and useful.
odonnellzoo99 - I think my predilection for puns is well known at this point. I apologize for nothing. Durga knows what's funny and has no shame in using it. The orb is going to be a cherished family heirloom, much to Aditi's displeasure.
alix33 - I thought Durga's reply to Parvati's equally hilarious suggestion to be very satisfying.
poka - Me too. I knew it had to be written out after being mentioned in the time jump chapter.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Yup, same. I knew it would be an expanded chapter right alongside the Market Central Incident.
Shroudy9 - Honestly probably the other hand so knife-hand would have problems using a wand forever. She's brutal like that.
jollymusician - Thank you, glad you enjoy them.