Chapter Eleven: Warnings and Fame
June 20th, 1992
The week passed without hassles until Vexus popped into the estate's living room holding a different house elf by the ear. "I caught this foreign elf trying to intercept the family's mail, Master Herbert. What shall I do with him?"
Herbert pondered for a moment before answering. "I can only think of one reason why this elf would try cutting off correspondence would be to try and convince someone that they had no reason to return to Hogwarts. Tell me, young elf, why do you wish to prevent one of us returning to Hogwarts?"
The other elf seemed to squirm for a while before answering. "Because Dobby knows that something terrible is coming to Hogwarts this year! Dobby emplores the Potters to not return to Hogwarts!"
It was Harry who spoke next. "Listen, Dobby. I won't ask why you've run from your master's house to warn us. However, none of us plan on skipping Hogwarts this year." He turned to face Vexus. "Could you please escort him off the property?"
Vexus popped away with Dobby and Herbert went to update the wards so Dobby couldn't return. After that, Ceres had Vexus personally handle the mail of the family for a while just in case.
August 8th, 1992
The weeks since Dobby popped in went smoothly, and letters were being exchanged between friends. His first letter to Hermione went like this:
"Dear Hermione,
"Sorry to startle you with Vexus. We've asked him to handle our mail personally for a while because somebody was trying to intercept it. As our family's House Elf, we know he won't let us down. Now, unlike many other wizarding families who have them, the Potters have always treated House Elves with care. Vexus is not 'bonded', he is employed. We pay him well to help us out. Think of him like a butler. If you have a letter for me, just hand it to him and he'll bring it to me.
"Sincerely, Harry."
Hermione had sent a letter not long after thanking Harry for telling her of the situation and for explaining Vexus' employment to her. After that first letter, they exchanged letters every week. The letter that came on his birthday had been an apology that she couldn't make it and a hope that he liked the new charmed seeker goggles.
About a week after his birthday was the day that the Hogwarts letters came. Unfortunately, Remus' application for Defense Professor had been passed over by the board, so his recommended text was not on the list. Nonetheless, the Potters met the Lovegoods in Diagon for school shopping. After getting the majority of their things, they came across the Grangers and Weasleys at Flourish and Blott's.
After the usual greetings between the friends – a handshake for Ron and a hug for Hermione — Harry gestured to the Lovegoods. "Those two are my uncle Xenophilius Lovegood, and his daughter Luna."
Mr. Weasley spoke up as he shook Xenophilius' hand. "We're neighbors, but we've never been introduced. I'm Arthur Weasley, and I'm joined by my wife Molly and five of our children: Percival, Fred, George, Ronald, and Ginevra."
After the Grangers introduced themselves to the Lovegoods, Hermione spoke up. "I noticed we have several Defese books assigned, all by the same author: one Gilderoy Lockheart. What do any of you know about him?"
Vince spoke with no hesitation. "He's a conceeded narcissist! All his books are an ego trip! Some of them are probably pure fiction! That's why we're buying a more reliable Defense book to supplement. You guys should, too."
As they entered the bookshop, they noticed the mentioned party at a desk signing some books. He looked up to see the crowd that came in and smiled. "Ah, if it isn't Harry Potter! Come up here, dear boy!"
At the many expectant looks and cameras directed his way, Harry replied flatly. "No thanks. I'm not interested in your publicity stunt, Lockheart. Unlike you, I don't like my fame much. Now, I've got books to buy." Harry then ignored the crowd and grabbed all the books he needed plus the ones he personally wanted and buying them himself.
After the rest of the group had gotten their books, they bumped into the Malfoys. The meeting was rather unpleasant, and Mr. Malfoy had grabbed Ginevra's books to look at them before putting them back at Mr. Weasley's insistence. After that, the families parted ways and found their ways back to their own homes. As Harry tried getting to sleep that night, he couldn't help but wonder if Dobby's warning earlier that summer had any weight to it.
Author's Note: Alright, the set up for second year is here. I'll try and switch up a few things to not make it wholly like the book. During this arc I plan on hinting at who I'm having Ron get together with later – so see if you can guess. As for the update schedule, I might not get the next chapter up next week because I'm coming down with a cold – and those make it hard for me to focus. That's all for now.
