Chapter 11: Winky, Merlin and Lucius

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Hermione and Harry got together with Dobby about two weeks before Hogwarts was going to start. So far, now that Molly was gone, the time at Grimmauld Place passed quickly and quietly. Well, when the twins were at work that is. There were no fights to be had, other than the times that Sirius felt he had to spar with his mother. Those times were funny as hell. Harry thought Sirius thought it was cathartic. He got so much off his chest and his mother never changed her tune. She couldn't really grow as she was a portrait.

"What can Dobby bes doing for Harry Potter and his Grangy?" Dobby asked, wringing his hands. He thought he had been a good house elf since he'd been here, but one never knew why one was called in front of the master.

"Dobby, I and Hermione would both like to talk to you about adopting Winky. Well, Hermione wants to adopt her, but she doesn't want to bond with her. How do you think Winky will do with that?" Harry asked, looking at the anxious Hermione. She had grown in her thinking on the ways of house elves and was willing to bond if she had too but was going to do everything not to. She didn't think of it as a form of slavery, more like an exchange of services. She knew that the elves got magic via the bond and in exchange they did housework. Sure, they could survive without it, but it was harder for them.

"Dobby is thinking that Winky would likes to be bonded. She is not liking being free at all," Dobby stated, wringing his hands still. "Winky is like most house elvies and feels that a bond is necessary." He had tried to tell the other elves that it wasn't, but it was like teaching the trees that air was what they made, not what they needed as well. It was futile.

Hermione frowned slightly but nodded, her hands clasping and unclasping nervously. "I understand, Dobby, but I want Winky to have a choice and to be happy. If bonding is what she needs, then we will figure out a way to make it work. What do you think, Harry?" She turned to her friend wanting his honest opinion. He had changed since the grey space, and he was more insightful. It wasn't that he was smarter than she was, just more in tune with what was happening with what was going on right now. It was as if Rowena and Merlin pounded knowledge and foresight into his head. He just knew more.

"I think, because you don't live in a magically rich environment a bond is the right way to go," Harry said. He turned to Dobby with a thoughtful expression. "Dobby, do you think you could talk to Winky and explain the situation to her? Let her know that we want her to be happy and that we are open to whatever she feels is best for her," he requested of his little friend, making sure to keep his tone friendly.

Dobby's large eyes blinked rapidly as he nodded enthusiastically. "Dobby will make sure Winky understands, Harry Potter. Winky will know she has choices. Dobby will go to her right away." He lifted his fingers and snapped, causing himself to disappear.

As Dobby left the room, Hermione let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you, Harry. I just want to do the right thing by her." She had thought deeply and hard about it, and she felt this was the right thing to do. Winky was a troubled elf who didn't deserve to be treated as an outcast because of a cruel master like Crouch Sr. That man had dismissed the female elf for no reason and now she was adrift with nowhere to go. Well, she was working at Hogwarts, but according to Dobby she was unhappy.

Harry smiled warmly, holding her hand in his. "I know you do, Hermione. We'll make sure Winky finds the happiness she deserves. Besides, I'd like to add her to my little family. If she's part of your family, she'll be part of mine," he stated, making her smile at him.

"Thanks again, Harry. I'm not sure how I'm going to explain this to my parents, but I'll only be living with them for a few more years. I am sure they will endure," she said, running a hand through her curls. She had finally got them tame last year and could now do things like run her hand through them without getting it caught.

"I'm sure they know that you would never willfully bind a being to you without a good reason. Just have Winky explain it to them. Besides, I'm sure you will have Winky talked out of the bond by tonight," Harry said, squeezing her hand surer of that than anything. Hermione had been talking her parents into letting her return to Hogwarts for years. He was sure that she had been telling them the truth about what had been happening there for years. Either they were lackluster parents, or they were very trusting of their daughter. He was going for the latter. He hoped so at least.

"You're right, I'm sure they will understand. There has to be a friendship bond or something we can substitute, isn't there?" she asked, thinking there might be a bond like that. She was sure she had read something like that at Hogwarts. Not here though.

"Check the library. Though you'll be hard-pressed to find one in this library. The Blacks were an evil bunch. Sirius being the exception. Well, him and a few others," the dark-haired wizard stated. He knew there weren't many light books among that lot of tomes. This library held dark books through and through. Anything that was light was gotten rid of ages ago. Those that were light persuaded had taken them when they left.

"You're right there," Hermione said with a sigh. She too had been through the books here and found nothing but dark tomes. "No, I'll make something up. I'm sure it'll be fine. You're always going on about how magic is about intent. Well, I intend to make this work," she stated with fist in the air. She might not be imaginative, but she could do this. She really wanted this, and she had Harry at her side. He'd think of something if she could not.

"That's my girl," Harry said, lifting their combined hands in the air to join her fist.

"Will it work, do you think?" she asked, suddenly not so sure.

He tucked some of her hair behind her ear and smiled at her. "If you want it to, then it will," he assured her.

She was so very glad that he was her friend at that moment. "Then I will make it work," she said with renewed determination.

Just then Dobby popped back in with Winky in tow. She was very drunk with a bottle of butterbeer still clutched in her hands. She was still wearing the yellow sundress that she had been given when she had been freed, though it was very stained. "Harry Potter, sir, Dobby is bringing Winky," the male elf stated, proud of what he had done.

Harry released Hermione's hand and approached the two house elves. "Thank you, Dobby," he said kindly, patting his elf friend on the shoulder for a job well done. "Winky, we need to talk about bonding with Hermione. It will not be a normal bond, and we need to know that you are okay with that." He knelt next to the drunk elf. He didn't like the fact that her eyes didn't focus. She really couldn't make a coherent decision right now.

Winky swayed slightly, her eyes glazed from the butterbeer. "Winky is sorry, Harry Potter, sir," she hiccupped, gazing to where his voice was coming from. "Winky did not mean to cause trouble." She wasn't quite sure what was going on, but they sounded like they were going to bond her to someone. That was all she wanted to know. Tears pricked in her large eyes. To have a family was a dream come true.

Hermione stepped forward, knelt, and placed a gentle hand on Winky's shoulder. "Winky, it's alright. We know you didn't mean to. I do want to bond with you, but I want it to be special. We just want to find a solution that will make everyone happy. I intend to make everyone happy," she said slowly and deliberately. She hated to see the elf in this state. Hell, she hated seeing anyone in this state.

Winky looked up at Hermione, tears brimming in her eyes. "Missy Hermione is too kind to Winky. Winky will do whatever Missy Hermione is being wanting." She swayed in place, trying to focus her eyes on the woman who was offering her a home. It was hard, but she thought it was the witch that tried to free the Hogwarts house elves. They thought she was an evil person. That was okay, Master Barty was evil. She could work for evil people.

Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance, determination shining in their eyes. "We're going to figure this out together, Winky," Harry said. "There has to be a way to change the bond without causing you any harm, and we will be changing the bond."

Hermione nodded in agreement. "We'll start looking for answers right away. And remember, you are part of our family now, Winky. We'll take care of you. The first thing we need you to do is sober up. You cannot make an informed decision until you are sober. Can you do that for me?" she asked. She was determined to make sure the elf did not regret her decision later. She knew the elf wanted a family, but she wanted a friend as well. She wouldn't have someone that was resentful bonded to her.

Winky sniffled and nodded, clutching her bottle of butterbeer close. "Winky is grateful. Winky will help however she can. Winky will be going to get sober right now." First, she snapped the bottle of butterbeer away, then she snapped herself away.

Harry and Hermione stood and brushed off their legs. The floor was clean, of course, but it was habit.

Dobby beamed at the scene, clearly pleased with how things were unfolding. "Dobby is being knowing that Harry Potter and his Grangy will be finding a way," he said confidently. "Dobby will go and find Winky and help her through the night." He knew it would be a long night for his crush, and he would be there to help. It wouldn't be as hard as it would for a human, but it was still unpleasant.

"Thank you, Dobby," Hermione said, smiling at the loyal elf. She really liked the little guy. If it wasn't for him, she never would have known about house elves and Winky. She didn't like their plight, and she was going to do everything she could to make it better, but she did understand that they weren't the slaves she thought they were. Well, not all of them. Dobby and those like him were, and she was determined to see to it that she stopped men like Malfoy and his ilk.

"Dobby wills bes going now," the little elf said and popped away. He would help Winky and talk to her more about what Harry Potter and his Grangy were wanting.

"Well, that went well," Harry said, kind of glad the touching scene was over. He was happy for Winky, but this tearjerker stuff was for the girls.

"Yeah, I hope she stays sober. I don't know if elves have addictive personalities," Hermione said, hoping she wasn't taking on more than she could chew. Was Winky going to have withdrawals and compulsions for the rest of her life? She had seen the movies and knew that alcoholics had issues for years after stopping drinking. She would help, of course, but it would be taxing.

Harry had a funny thought of Winky slipping and drinking on the sly, but at Hermione's horrified look dropped that line of thinking. "Hey, I never thought of that. I'm sure they don't. I have never heard of an addictive elf, so there is that," he said, squeezing her shoulder. He was sure he would have heard of a drunken house elf by now.

"You're right. I'm just borrowing trouble," she said with a sigh.

"You go and think up your friendship bond, and I'll go bug Sirius," Harry suggested.

"Alright," she said, going to do just that.

Harry went off to find Sirius and found him lingering in his father's study reading a letter. "What are you reading?" he asked, seeing the man's confused face.

"I just received a letter about your Order of Merlin: First Class. The ceremony will be held in one week," Sirius said, looking up from the letter and looking at his godson.

"What?" Harry said, dumbfounded.

"Yeah, it seems Amelia Bones put you up for one due to the Chamber of Secrets," the dogman stated, smirking a bit.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that. That's great. Now I'll have a voice on the Wizengamot," Harry said, taking the letter and reading it. Then he wondered where his letter was. As if reading his thoughts, an owl came flying in and deposited his letter in his lap. "Who do you think will show? I know we're at war, kinda."

"Well, with half of the wizarding world thinking you're insane…" Sirius began, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "It's hard to say. But I'm sure your friends and the Order will be if only to show support in face of the public. I know the Order is practically disbanded, but the other side doesn't need to know that the not-so-secret organization is in disarray." He too had a seat on the Wizengamot, and he would be there at the ceremony along with the entire Mot. It was almost mandatory. It was like a right of passage for the recipient of the Order of Merlin: First Class.

Harry nodded thoughtfully. "I can see that and support it. I don't think we need to let old Voldy know that Dumbledore has lost the plot. Besides, I suppose it doesn't really matter who shows up. What matters is what I can do with this position." He was really looking forward to using this to change the wizarding world, small though the position was, his voice would be loud.

"That's the spirit," Sirius said, clapping him on the back. "But don't let it all weigh on you too heavily. You're still a kid, Harry. Try to enjoy the ceremony, even if it's just a little bit."

Harry smiled, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension about the upcoming event. "Thanks, Sirius. I'll try." He then went on to tell him about Winky, to which Sirius didn't really care. It was just one more house elf to him. He was a pureblood, and the lives of house elves were mundane.

The bonding went off without a hitch. Hermione simply switched the words ownership with friendship and put the emotion into it. Winky was ecstatic to have a bond that she didn't care that this was the Wicked Witch of Gryffindor. Harry laughed his arse off when he heard her say that.

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The day of the Order of Merlin ceremony was upon them and Harry was glad it was finally time. Hermione had been beside herself the entire time. She thought it was much more prestigious than it really was. They were getting dressed and waiting for time to leave. Harry, Sirius, and Hermione were dressed to the gills with their finest.

Harry had to go and buy him and Hermione something to wear, but that was okay, he had the money. His dividends were paying off and he was becoming one of the richest people in the wizarding world. He was on par with the Malfoys, who were just under the Blacks.

Harry adjusted his robes in a relaxed manner, glancing at Hermione who was meticulously fixing her hair in the mirror. Sirius, ever the epitome of calm, was lounging on the couch, his regal demeanor unchanged by the occasion. The only one who was nervous tonight was Hermione. She didn't like the thought of being in front of the crowd. Harry used to be that way, but since coming back from the grey space, he didn't care. These people's opinions didn't mean that much to him.

"Do you think we're ready for this?" Harry asked, his voice as calm as could be. He put an arm around his friend, making sure not to muss her hair.

Hermione turned to him with her eyes bright with excitement. "Of course, Harry! You've earned this. It's going to be a wonderful ceremony, and you'll finally get the recognition you deserve." She was practically bouncing in happiness. She was upset that Dumbledore had not put him up for this years ago when he had first done the deed. Then again, he had been too young to appreciate it like he could now. But now, she was over the moon with happiness for her friend.

Sirius nodded in agreement. "She's right, Harry. Just remember to stand tall and speak clearly. Show them the new you," he said, a smirk playing on his face. "You've come a long way in the last month. You're not the specky kid you told me about. You're a man of your own right, now. So, stand tall and let them know that." He was proud of the boy that Harry had become. It was sad the way that it had come about, but there it was.

Harry took a deep breath, feeling a surge of determination. "Thanks, both of you. Let's go make some history."

With that, they gathered their things and made their way to the ceremony, ready to face whatever the evening had in store for them.

The twins were already at the ceremony, in the audience. They were with their family this night. They were going to be anonymous since they didn't want it to be known that the girl that was rescued was their sister. It wasn't the prestige that their family needed, so they disassociated themselves with Harry this evening. The Weasleys agreed, especially Bill. He was pragmatic like that.

Remus and Tonks were sitting with the rest of the Order, who were there in force. They decided that they needed to be seen as a group even if they were divided in private. They were all sitting together and talking about their lives since the split. Molly wasn't with them, so it was easier.

The Weasleys had their own table since they were such a large family.

Harry went to the ceremony with his magic humming like a tuning fork, ready and willing to come to his aid should it be needed. He was standing tall and willing to accept his award. As they entered the grand hall, Harry's eyes were drawn to the glittering chandeliers that cast a warm glow over the assembled guests. The atmosphere was electric, filled with anticipation and admiration.

The master of ceremonies began to speak, recounting Harry's bravery and the challenges he had overcome. He must have gotten the story from Amelia because it was darn accurate. The audience was eating it up and they were all on the edge of their seats. There were some that were outright disbelieving, but that was okay. He had the memory to prove it. Not that he would, he already had to Bones.

Harry listened, feeling a swelling of pride and general lack of humility. Had this been a month ago, he would have been humble, but now, he was proud of what he had done and felt he deserved to be recognized for it. When his name was finally called, he stepped forward with confidence, and a smirk on his lips.

Hermione and Sirius watched from the sidelines, their faces beaming with pride.

The twins, along with their family, were on their feet, clapping with enthusiasm. This caused the crowd to get up and join them.

Harry approached the podium and took a moment for the clapping to die before addressing the audience. "Thank you," he began, his voice clear and unwavering, "for this incredible honor. I couldn't have done it without the support of my friends and family, especially Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. They were both there at the time and were instrumental in getting the task done. This award is as much theirs as it is mine," he stated, holding up the medallion. "I will be rendering the basilisk down and the proceedings will be going to outfitting the DMLE with much needed assault gear. Thanks again to Amelia Bones for nominating me for this Award. I appreciate it."

He held up the award one more time and then nodded his head to Amelia and walked off the stage.

The audience erupted into applause, once more surging to their feet, and Harry felt a warmth spread through him. He knew that this moment would be etched in his memory forever, a testament to the strength and courage it took to get here. At the time it had been scary as fuck, but now he could look back on it and know that he had been brave beyond what any twelve-year-old could have overcome.

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The day before Hogwarts started, the letters finally came.

"It's about time," Harry said, taking the one for him. It was light, so he knew he wasn't a prefect, which was fine by him. He just hoped it wasn't Ron. That was the last person who deserved it, but knowing Dumbledore and McGonagall, it probably was. The Weasleys were well loved and thought of as loyal. That was all that was needed to give Ron the hands up he needed to be prefect.

Hermione was bouncing though, so she was one. She was so happy now, but would she be if Ron was one? Who knew. "I made prefect!" she was shouting, jumping up and down, waving the letter and brandishing the badge.

Harry gave her a hug and congratulated her. Then he looked at the letter again. "We need to go to Diagon Alley," the Boy-Who-Lived said with a groan, noting the new book on the list. It was the one for DADA and he'd never heard of it before. He knew it wasn't in the house, and he didn't own it.

Sirius looked at the list and knew they were choiceless, they would have to go. It was going to be crowded as hell since everyone and their uncle were going to need that book. "I know that book," he commented. "It's bloody useless."

"That can't be true," Hermione said, though she was sure Sirius wouldn't lie. "Why would they assign a useless book?" she asked, thinking that was senseless.

"Perhaps because they assigned a useless teacher. Remember we're getting Umbridge," Harry said, reminding her that the woman was coming to the school.

"Right," Hermione said, sighing again.

"We'll just have to do the best we can," Harry said with a wicked grin. He had no such compulsion on doing anything of the sorts. He was going to let the woman hang herself. However, Hermione was still academic in nature and would do the best she could with what she could, or she'd find a way to learn what she needed. Hopefully she didn't drag him into it. That was the last thing he needed, but he just knew it was going to happen.

They went to the Alley and bought the book and were looking for anything else they might need when they ran into the Malfoys. "Hello, Lucius," Sirius said, grinning like a fool.

"Black," Malfoy Sr. stated cooly. He dismissed Harry and Hermione with a simple look. Draco was about to make a snide comment when his father glared at him to be silent.

"How are you doing?" Sirius asked, knowing the man was mad at him for cutting off his funds. The Malfoys were still quite rich, but now he had to spend his own money on his bribes, and not the Black funds. He heard that he had made quite a fuss at the bank when he had found out that he was not allowed to use them anymore.

"Quite well, thank you," was the quick response. "Good day," Lucius said, taking Draco's arm and moving along like he couldn't leave fast enough.

"What's up with him?" Harry asked, watching them leave. "I thought for sure he was going to draw his wand on you," he added, looking at Sirius like he had just pulled a prank, but he missed the punchline.

"I took his bribe money away," Sirius said, laughing at their backs.

"Good on you," Harry said, laughing with him.

Hermione looked at them perplexedly. "Do you mean he was using your money to bribe people with?" she asked Sirius, not sure how the other man could do that.

Sirius looked at her and said, "Yes, his wife is my cousin. He thought I'd be in prison all my life, so he was using my fortune to fund his political career."

She looked fierce and angry. "Those arseholes," she stated, upset on Sirius's behalf. "How low can you get? Using another man's money when he is down and out? I'm glad you stopped it, but you should try and get that money back. Sue him for all he's worth. It wasn't his money to use," she said, all but stamping her foot in indignation.

"Nah, I figured that it would be futile and a waste of time," Sirius said, waving the thought away. Waters had suggested the same thing, but had warned him it would take a long time.

"It's the principle of the thing," she said, this time really stomping her foot.

Harry looked amused but replied, "She's right. You should sue him."

"I'll think about it," Sirius said, chuckling. "Let's get you two back home. You've got to get packed. You've got school tomorrow."

Harry groaned, knowing that Hogwarts wasn't going to be a walk in the park. Hermione was excited as usual. She seemed to forget they had Umbridge to deal with, Harry wasn't that lucky.