Disclaimer: Anything that rings a bell belongs to JK Rowling

Chapter 5: Flying glass breaking hearts

"Harry…" The sandy haired man whispered in confusion.

Sirius shook his head, "No…No, that's not possible, the Potters' didn't have a House elf."

"When you knew them. But they did when Mr Potter was a child. That was Kinky's mother…."I smiled, thinking how much Mi would have enjoyed this conversation, "Harry's great grandmother, Eleanor, and Kinky's mother, Slinky, where very close. She was more than just a House Elf to her. She was a friend. Slinky wasn't like other house elves…"I looked at Kinky and she beamed up at me, "She was an elf before her time. She had aspirations, and dreams. She wanted to learn to read and write."

"And play the piano." Kinky squeaked up, I smiled down at her,

"All those things. And she did. Eleanor made sure of it. When Charlus, Harry's grandfather, was two years old-"

"Wait…I know this story. I know this." Sirius said, muttering to himself. "Mr Potter told it to us… About the fire…and the house elf. The house elf that saved his life."

"Grindelwald's men set fire to the Potters house as the Potters' were aurors. Only Charlus was home though. Slinky saved his life that day. She died, taking two of Grindelwald's men with her and saving the Potters two-year-old son. What the Potters didn't know was that Slinky had a child, Kinky. She was kept a secret because of the father…Kreature. Don't ask, I have no idea how that happened and it's really anybody's guess, but Slinky didn't want Kinky to grow up being a Black House elf."

"Kinky's head is not going on any walls says mama." Kinky said with gusto.

"She knew if Kreature found out, he and his mistress more importantly, would take Kinky away. That's when she sent Kinky to work at Hogwarts."

Mad Eye cut in, "Fine, so we see that the House Elf belongs to Black and Potter, but it still doesn't solve our problem. She's a Hogwarts elf, and the way you rule that castle, she's practically a free elf. Her allegiance changed from person to person, and as we can see students as well. They serve the castle and all its inhabitants. That means she can bring anyone in here if she pleases."

"That's only because she hasn't been bound to her rightful family." Nonno turned to Sirius, "Her father's family. That would mean you would have to take responsibility for her Sirius. Make her a Black house elf."

"NO! Kinky would rather die than serve the Blacks. Mamma would hate I." She shouted.

I wanted to scream, this was so far from the plan. I wanted to just grab Kinky and disappear…nothing was working out! "Kinky's head won't be mounted on walls!"

"Of course not, Kinks. I won't let that happen."

I looked to Sirius, pleading with him. His grey eyes averted from mine, but he sighed, "Fine! Elf…Kinky. Come here."

She looked at me and I nodded. He was Harry's godfather; he must be a good person.

"I, Sirius Black the third…" he took a deep breath, shot a quick glance to the brown-haired man who nodded him on, "In the proud name of my father, Orion Black, first born son of Arcturus Black the third and mother," He spat the name out like venom, "Walburga Black, hereby claim ownership of this House Elf, Kinky, as a Black House Elf bound by blood. She is to comply to any and all my needs and commands without question." He waved his wand in an intricate pattern, and Kinky bowed to him. He turned to Nonno, "If that is all Dumbledore, I'd like to leave before you force me to do anything else in the name of the people I so despise." He walked towards the door, and I jumped up and grabbed his hand.

He looked shocked at the contact, "Thank You." I meant it. He ensured Kinkz safety, I'll be forever grateful to him for that. He nodded awkwardly at the contact, and walked away.

Nonno followed him, stopped at the doorway, and turned to me, "Oh and Kyrianna. There will be no more underage magic performed in this house. As you are probably aware, there are more underage wizards here than yourself, and whilst Black Manor is unplottable and in our safekeeping, in addition to its own ancient magic that allowed the children of the Black line to perform magic when at home without having to be disturbed by the Ministry, a cumulation of underage magic might just be a scream loud enough for the Ministry to hear. Plus, rules are there for a reason, you should adhere to them." And with one last disappointed look he turned away.

"I still don't get it." The pink haired lady said, "Aren't house elves bound to a family by blood."

I had done my research, "That's usually the case, but the house elves under the care…or should I say abuse, of most pureblood families have only allegiance to that family. It's normal for their race to have children with a brother or sister, actually that is what's favoured to ensure the loyalties are never split. What Kreature and Slinky did was akin to Romeo and Juliet…scratch that, Muggle reference. Anyway, Kinky's loyalty will be split between two powerful pure blood families, and of course to a third which she had given away herself, her allegiance to Hogwarts. This ability to bestow her loyalties by herself is proof that the splitting of allegiance is detrimental to unwavering loyalty. But this would be rectified by Sirius claiming ownership of her." I looked down at Kinks, and she smiled sadly at me, and walked to the pantry. I felt terrible. I slumped down in a chair, ignoring the stares. Nessie patted my hand sympathetically; she knew how I felt about Kinky. This didn't go unnoticed by Linus. He stared at the act; mouth open slightly.

"Still doesn't give this Rat the right to be here." I glowered at the old Auror.

"I did you a favour. It would have been very easy for one of Voldemort's supporters to have found the link between Kinky and Kreature. It's Voldemort's own prejudices that have evaded him from finding the perfect way to attack you whilst your guards down, he didn't even consider house elves. Anyway, it won't even be an option now. Your gratitude is so appreciated."

He snarled at me, and then started wheezing, was he laughing? Linus cut in,

"What are you doing here?" He said it quietly, a gravelly texture to his voice. He was so quiet through this whole thing, something that was normal for Len but quite extraordinary for him. His question wasn't pointed at me though, but at Nessie. She blushed slightly, all eyes on her.

"I…We…" She looked at me and I nodded at her, "We came to help."

"With what?" Len cut in and I turned to him.

"What else? With the small issue of the resurrection of the evilest dark wizard known to the magic community since ever."

"But you're a muggle." Len said…looking awkwardly at pointing out the obvious.

"Phone Voldemort, tell him he has a new supporter who wants to join him. Free for a spot of muggle bashing on Saturday night-"

"You know I didn't mean it like that Ky. I meant that-"

"Don't placate her Len. You don't owe her an explanation." Li stood and turned to the room at large, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, it won't be happening again, I'll escort these two back home." He placed his hand on Nessie's arm, and she shoved it off.

"Did you not just hear what I said?" She looked at him with the ire that she had learnt to muster with ease these days.

"And did you not just hear what I said. We're leaving." His eyes were a darker blue than I have ever seen them.

"You may leave, but Ky and I are staying." She sat back down.

Linus rounded on me, "What's going on?"

"You heard Nessie. We're staying."

"You were not invited."

I glared at the old Auror. "Invitations are overrated."

"Ky, may I ask how you got to this house."

I looked at Len, it was a testament to how angry beyond words Linus must be that Len was asking the logical questions. "I thought we've been through this already. With Kinky."

"Kinky fetched you from New York? I'm no expert at this but I don't think House Elf magic works for such a long distance."

I shrugged, "We took a plane from New York."

"And you reached London and sent for Kinky straight away."

His penetrating hazel eyes didn't need to observe me; I would tell him the truth either way.

"Not exactly."

"What do you mean not exactly?" Linus cut in, spitting venom. "What happened EXACTLY Ky. From the beginning!"

"Well, there were planes involved…"

"Planes? Plural?"

Nessie shot up from her chair, advancing quickly on Linus, "Yes Linus. Planes. A plane that Ky got on and a plane that I got on. The reason is irrelevant why this occurred, but the fact is Ky, and I, are in London to help fight Lord Voldemort."

"I find the reasons quite relevant Agnes. You let my sister get on a plane unsupervised! "

"Yes, I LET your sister get on a plane on her own unsupervised. I gave her the ticket and told her, 'there you go Ky, fly six and a half hours to London. On your own. Oh, and here's some money just in case anybody tries to rob you, don't want them getting angry that you have no money on you and doing you in!'"

Wow I didn't know she had that level of sarcasm in her. Big ups. Linus wasn't impressed, "You mean to tell me she travelled all the way on her own to London. You didn't even know!"

"Li we both know that when Ky gets an idea in her head there's no stopping her." Len said, defending Nessie.

"Thanks."

He looked gravely at me, "That wasn't a compliment, Ky."

I rolled my eyes, "Look Linus…Len. I ran away from New York." I was here, no reason to hide it. "A week ago. I came to London. Nessie didn't know anything." I looked at Linus. He didn't seem to hear a word I said though, his face was red with anger and his eyes were popping,

"A WEEK! She's been here a week!"

"Nessie came after me…she was with me the whole time Li!" This didn't seem to placate him; this seemed to do the complete opposite!

"I cannot believe this! I CANNOT believe this. You've lied to me, this whole week. You…you…"He was breathing heavy, "WHAT PART OF LONDON IS NOT SAFE DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND!"

I was beyond words. Linus never spoke to Nessie like that…. Linus never spoke to me like that. Linus never spoke like that.

Len grabbed his shoulder, "Li-"

He shrugged it off, advancing on Nessie. Her bottom lip was trembling but her eyes where determined,

"You didn't take her back. You let her stay here for a week. With nobody to protect her. There are people….so many people… she could have been killed!"

"I was there to protect her Linus!"

"What good would you do? Huh! What good would you do against these bastards! Last year she was nearly…they nearly…. they would do the same to you!"

I walked forward, raging. Who was this man! He was not my brother.

"She's not some useless little ninny Linus! She took down a werewolf, when's the last time you did that!" The words just came out, like word vomit. Linus stopped advancing on her. He didn't move a muscle. He turned his icy glare on me….

"Werewolf…." He spoke the word so softly I lip read it. He turned back to Nessie, and she stood her ground,

"Yes, a werewolf Linus."

"What did he look like?" It was the sandy haired man.

"He looked…wild. Matted long brown hair and clothes that seems to have never been washed and he had a load of scars on his back, and he had dull blue eyes and no eyebrows which is just weird. He was hulking, big guy with a penchant for attacking little homeless kids."

The man looked like he wasn't here anymore, he whispered, "Fenrir Greyback…."

Was my hearing diminishing or were all these people just whispering to screw with me.

"Fenrir Greyback! The most notoriously psychotic werewolf attacked you. And you didn't tell me?"

Nessie's resolve seemed to melt a bit at the hurt in his voice, "Linus, Ky said he's not a death eater. That it was OK to tell you when we saw you. I wanted to tell you, but it didn't seem like news that should be said over the phone…."

There was a crack, and shards of glass flew everywhere. Len covered me with body, this was a tell-tale sign Linus was close to the edge, he was losing control of his magic. I looked up, blood oozing from Nessie's right cheek, she hadn't blocked the broken glass like we all had.

"I trusted you. I trusted you to keep her safe, to keep you both safe. And you let her-"

"Linus just let me-"

"Get out."

I scurried from behind Lenzo, "Linus wait-"

Nessie looked horrified…she backed away; Linus didn't stop her. She turned for the door. He didn't stop her. She pulled it open. He didn't stop her. I looked at him. The words failing me.

"Linus…."

"Congratulations Ky. The wedding is off; you got what you always wanted. As always." He stormed out of the room.

I stopped trying to comprehend and ran after her, flying out the door and ignoring Len's calls. I ducked pass the mass of red heads in the corridor and ran. I grabbed the doorknob, but for the second time today a hand curled around my waist and pulled me over a back whispering,

"Where do you think you're going?"

A/N: Ky and her BIG mouth. She has like chronic word vomit syndrome. I hated writing that – but I don't blame Linus. He is clearly terrified of losing them and doing his best for his family, but he is being shite at communicating. Whose side are you one – Len/Linus or Ky/Nessie?

Kalina