Part 4
On his birthday, Harry woke to a pair of huge, blue eyes staring at him.
"Wha?" he asked muzzily and groped for the glasses on his bedside table.
"Good morning, Harry Potter sir!" Betty squeaked. "I be bringing breakfast!"
"Er, what? Betty?" Bewildered and hardly awake enough to function, Harry barely flinched when the small female house elf presented him with a bed table full of his favourite breakfast foods. "Thank you, honest. But ... what are you doing here?"
Dobby popped up on the bed with a small vase of garden flowers. "Dobby be taking her along. Betty be having birthday present for Harry Potter sir." He elbowed her in the side.
"Betty not be doing well without a family," Betty began haltingly. "Betty be wanting Harry Potter sir as her new ma-" Dobby elbowed her again, sharply, and she stuttered, "uh, new friend. Betty be knowing that Harry Potter sir be very kind to his friends, and that he be having lots and lots of good work to do. May Betty please become Harry Potter sir's friend?"
"Er ..." Harry glanced at Dobby, who was nodding behind Betty's back. Slowly, his faculties were returning to him and he felt more equal to the situation. "Sure. Friends are always good. But you have to promise not to tell our secrets. Not to anyone. It might be dangerous for you and I don't want you getting hurt because of me."
"Betty be a very good elf," she promised. "Betty be keeping all of Harry Potter sir's secrets, just like Dobby!"
Harry smiled at her enthusiasm. "Then I guess you're welcome!"
Eyes shining and grin nearly splitting her little face, Betty took his offered hand and shook it heartily. "Happy Birthday, Harry Potter sir!"
Just as it had happened with Dobby, his arm tingled hotly and there was a short sting in his chest. Dobby was doing a little dance, seemingly barely able to contain his excitement, so he guessed that all house elves were like that when they were excited.
"Wow, you're all really strong," Harry joked, gently stretching his fingers. "Really, you're welcome. The whole house is full with cupboards, if you want one for sleeping. But we can also get you a bed, if you prefer. Dobby handles the money, he'll take care of you."
Again, Dobby nodded until his ears flapped, but Betty only blushed shyly and squeaked, "Dobby be having the best cupboard in the kitchen. Betty be wanting to share space for more magic and learning faster."
"Is that alright with you?" Harry asked the other elf.
"Dobby be liking tight spaces very much," Dobby answered with a little stutter and a dull green flush in his cheeks. "Also, Betty not be big. It be perfect fit."
Now Betty also blushed and Harry had to hide his amused grin. "Then that's settled. And thanks again for breakfast and your amazing gift, Betty."
"Harry Potter sir be very welcome," she whispered and popped away.
"She be very happy," Dobby assured Harry when the boy looked concerned. "She be needing to do some work so happiness not be making her sick."
"Oh ... that can happen?"
"When us elves be happy, we be very powerful," Dobby explained. For a second, he tilted his head like a listening dog. "Betty be going to Potter's Field to fight with plants. Maybe she be more successful than Dobby."
"Maybe," Harry grinned. He took a sip of his tea and then started in on breakfast. Betty had gone with traditional English fare which was very welcome right now. Harry was ravenous and inhaled the baked beans, sausages and fried eggs. "She's a good cook," he commented between bites.
"Betty be needing to learn more variety," Dobby said as he floated a bowl of fresh fruit in front of Harry, "but that not be problem. She be young and learn quickly."
"If she's anything like you, she'll be awesome." Harry put his fork down and reached for Dobby's hand. "Thank you for bringing her here. She seems nice and she'll be a great help to you. It's a present for both of us!"
"Dobby be having another birthday present for Harry Potter sir." A little shyly, the elf pulled something tiny from his trouser pocket and placed it in Harry's palm.
It was a small gold pendant, most likely made from half a galleon, and coined with his family seal.
"Wow, thank you!" Harry took a closer look and felt his throat close up a little at the carefully crafted details. "It's lovely."
"It be emergency elf transport for Harry Potter sir," Dobby squeaked. "Dobby not be able to go to Hogwarts with Harry Potter sir, and Dobby and Betty not be liking leaving Harry Potter sir without a way to come home if Old Whiskers be bad wizard."
"I ... wow, I don't know what to say. Except thank you, of course." Harry dropped the pendant and pulled Dobby in for a hug. "It's really great. Thanks for always taking care of me, Dobby."
"Dobby be doing all he can to protect his Harry Potter sir." Flushing again, the elf bounced just once. "And Dobby be doing everything he can to make Harry Potter sir happy. This present be from Miss Mione. Dobby be collecting it last night from France." He presented Harry with a large, brightly wrapped box, a letter, and a birthday card.
"Sneaky," Harry grinned. "Would you mind putting your pendant on the chain with Gringotts' memory charm? That way, I'll always have it with me."
Dobby snapped his fingers and placed the pendant around Harry's neck. "It be best, Harry Potter sir."
"Yeah, you might be right." Harry looked between the letter and the gift and decided to rip into the box first. "Oh, wow! Look at what Hermione's given me!"
He pulled a broom servicing kit from the packaging and showed Dobby a jar of Fleetwood's High-Finish Handle Polish, a pair of Tall-Twig Clippers, a tiny brass compass and even a book on do-it-yourself broomcare. "Isn't this fantastic? Now I can take care of my new broom properly."
"Harry Potter sir be having another broom at Hogwarts," Dobby said.
"Nah, Professor McGonagall only loaned it to me for Quidditch, although I'll take care of that, too. Okay, now the card ... uh, is that the French Riviera? Wow, the sea looks so blue!" Harry read Hermione's birthday wishes and had to smile when he saw that her parents had also signed.
The letter was last, and it smelled faintly of sun lotion and warm, salty air.
Dear Harry,
In case you're actually reading the letter first: Happy Birthday! May the next year of your life be peaceful, fun, and full of happiness.
Dobby surprised me when he suddenly showed up a few days ago and asked whether I wanted to send you a letter for your birthday. He even offered to take the present, which was really rather nifty since international owl post is kind of expensive. Hopefully you'll like what my parents and I came up with - it's a compromise between practical and nice.
Anyway, I'm really looking forward to seeing you again. Dobby mentioned that you're just fine, but after the way your horrid relatives treated you I want to make sure. Also, the ice cream will be my treat! Please let me know when it'd be good for you.
I want to tell you all about my holiday in person, so please don't be mad that I'm not writing more right now. Have a really great birthday and give Hedwig a good petting from me.
Love,
Hermione
Next, Dobby handed Harry a present from Ron. There was also a card and note stuck to it and this time Harry read both first.
Hey Harry!
Happy Birthday from me and my family! I got you a sneakoscope so you'll always know if something fishy is going on around you. You should just maybe learn a silencing spell because that thing goes off like crazy when Fred and George are close.
Also, my parents won the lottery in the Daily Prophet! And guess what? We're going to visit my oldest brother Bill in Egypt! I'm so excited, although the twins teased me that my freckles will explode in all that sun. Still, it's awesome and I wish you could come with us, because we'll only return a couple of days before school starts or so. I'll try to find a good souvenir, mate!
See you soon,
Ron
P.S.: Your relatives are the worst. I tried to call your house on the fellytone a few weeks ago, but your uncle was super rude and screamed at me. Hermione later told me that I don't have to shout, but when I tried again, they just hung up on me.
Harry groaned; that probably explained his uncle's impossibly bad mood. He almost felt pity for the man - all that stress couldn't be good for his health and as much as he disliked the Dursleys, he didn't want to be a leading factor in their demise.
"And this present be from a Mr. Hagrid," Dobby said. He dubiously handed the slightly shaking package over. "Owl ward sent it to Gringotts and goblins called Dobby to get it."
"From Hagrid!" Harry cheered. He looked for a note and found it. "He's sending me a book ... The Monster Book Of Monsters. I wonder why."
He ripped the brown paper open - and jerked back when the book sprang forward, the open covers acting like little legs and a toothy maw combined. "Bloody hell! Why is it attacking me?"
Dobby flung the thing from the bed and went between it and Harry. Whimper-snarling, the book decided that it wasn't a match for a determined house elf and scuttled away to hide under Harry's dresser.
"Dobby be putting up ward around dresser," the elf said with a huff. "This Mr. Hagrid not be knowing what be appropriate gift for young wizard!"
Heart hammering in his chest, Harry had to agree, even if it felt a little disloyal to do so. "Now I'm awake."
"Then Harry Potter sir be drinking his potion and spend his day being lazy and pampered." Dobby bounced a little. "Harry Potter sir could have a look at the garden."
"Yeah, sure!" Harry quickly downed his potion and used the bathroom to make himself presentable. "By the way, do you know when Healer Williams will stop by?"
"In the afternoon, after three," Dobby replied. He led Harry to the back door of the cottage and proudly presented his fledgling garden. Just like he'd said, there were a lot of offshoots sticking up from the ground, looking tiny and fragile in the glaring sunlight. "Dobby be planting fruit trees next. And over there Dobby be placing dead tree trunk for mushrooms. And here in the half shade be perfect place for medicine plants."
"And what will you do with the other half of the space?" Harry asked.
"Dobby still be deciding. Dobby be needing to ask Betty if she be needing special plants."
"Oh, good thinking. I have no idea what female house elves need."
"Dobby be getting book on house elves soon," Dobby said. "Dobby not be wanting Harry Potter sir to have too much to do ..."
"But that's over now," Harry finished the thought. "Yeah, good thinking. With two house elves around I should definitely know more. By the way, how do we get Betty out of her icky pillow case?"
oOo
Just like Dobby said, Healer Williams appeared at half past three on the dot on Harry's lawn. He waved cheerfully and wished Harry a very happy birthday before allowing Dobby to seat him at the garden table.
"Thank you for having me over on your special day," the young man beamed. "I brought cake, if you're interested."
"I love cake," Harry said. "What kind is it?"
"Since it's so hot, I went with something light and with lots of strawberries. Hopefully you've not had enough of them already, I know that Dobby likes to give them to you for dessert."
"No, that's great! I'm sure Dobby can get us some whipped cream. Would you like coffee or tea?"
"Coffee, please." Williams grinned. "Honestly, this is a pretty nice gig so far. I'm getting fed great food and get to sit in a beautiful little garden. Of course I'm not coming empty-handed. Here."
Harry took the wrapped parcel from him and opened it carefully. "The Comprehensive Book on Household Charms And How To Use them! Thank you!"
"You're very welcome, Heir Potter."
Harry huffed. "Oh, could you just call me Harry, please? I feel weird when people call me that."
Williams smiled. "Then you must call me Brady. I chose that book because all the charms in there are easy to learn and, more importantly, easy to cast on yourself. Just promise me that you'll try on inanimate objects first, and have your elf nearby in case something goes wrong."
"Of course, I promise." Harry grinned impishly. "As I said, I'm not stupid. At least not after what happened to Hermione last year."
"Oh? What happened?" Brady asked, instantly curious.
"I'll tell you if you'll keep it secret," Harry challenged. "I don't want us to get into trouble."
The healer made a vow and as they ate their cake, Harry regaled him with the tale of Hermione, the unfortunate polyjuiced kitty girl.
"Wait, she brewed polyjuice potion in her second year? At thirteen? And in an abandoned toilet?" Brady asked, mouth open in surprise.
"Well, yes. She's brilliant! Anyway, she thought that she'd nabbed hair from a Slytherin's cloak, but it turned out that she accidentally collected the hair from that girl's cat. She turned into a hybrid human-cat thing and had to go to Madam Pomfrey. Thankfully, she got back to normal soon, but the bollocking couldn't have been fun. Professor McGonagall was all disappointed in her and docked a hundred points for stupidity."
"Trust, but verify," Brady agreed. "There are spells to check whether the ingredients for your potions are the real thing or counterfeit."
"Yeah, Professor McGonagall taught her that one until she could do it in her sleep. Too bad that Snape doesn't allow her to use her wand in class. She's been a bit skittish in Potions because of that cat incident."
Brady couldn't hide his mirth. "She sounds like a grand young lady! Just think what stories you'll be able to tell your kids one day."
Harry squirmed a little. "Uh."
"So, what else is new?" Brady asked, kindly changing the topic. "Did your friends think of you?"
And off Harry went, telling the healer about his presents and the cards and letters he'd received.
"But our best present is Betty," Harry told him, beaming.
"Betty?" Brady raised his eyebrows. "Who's that?"
The elf in question popped up and looked expectantly first at Harry and then at his guest.
"I be Betty," she said. "May Betty help you, Harry Potter sir?"
"You got yourself a second house elf?" Brady asked, stunned. "When?"
"It's more like she found Dobby and me, and just yesterday," Harry explained. "She lost her family and wanted to stay around, so I told her she could. Dobby will teach her everything he knows and she'll help manage Potter's Field."
"Wow." Brady still looked gobsmacked. "That's quite a gift, Harry!"
"I know." Harry smiled at Betty. "Thanks, we don't need anything right now. Oh, before you go, this is Brady. He's my healer and will be here a couple times a week or so."
Betty stared unblinkingly at the young man for a few moments before saying, "Betty be having eye on Mr. Brady Healer." Then, she popped away.
"No one can make someone feel quite as small as a house elf who doesn't trust you," Brady joked. "She's lovely. Do you know where she comes from?"
"No, I guess I'll ask her about that later. I think she's still sad about losing her family and I don't want to make her talk when she's grieving."
"That's very considerate of you." Brady sipped the last of his coffee and sighed in utter conentment. "What do you say? A little magic first and then I'll show you how to do flips on your trampoline?"
Needless to say, the health scan was the littlest portion of their afternoon, and when Healer Williams left at seven, Harry was pleasantly exhausted both from casting charms and jumping until his legs buckled.
oOo
Healer Williams called again on the next day, his mien somber and his posture stiff.
"I come with worrying news," he said, declining Harry's offer of refreshments with a shake of his head. "Sirius Black, your godfather, managed to escape from Azkaban prison last night and is at large."
Harry's mouth got dry and his eyes bulged a little. "What?"
"No one knows exactly how he did it, but the fact is that he's at large and, if the wardens are to be believed, you're his target."
"What gave them the idea?"
The healer's face became pinched. "Apparently Black mumbled the same thing over and over again in his sleep: he's at Hogwarts, he's at Hogwart's ..."
"But I'm not at Hogwarts right now." Bewildered, Harry wrangled down his fear and tried to think clearly. "Why would he break out when he must know that I'm not there? It doesn't make sense."
"He's been in Azkaban for almost twelve years ... it might've driven him mad." Williams gently led Harry to the terrace table and bade him to sit. Himself, he parked against the table. "Besides, there's nobody else at Hogwarts, aside from a couple of teachers maybe, and I doubt that he's after one of them."
"But ..."
"Harry, please, this is important. Gringotts knows that your godfather never received a trial, else the goblins would've known to freeze his accounts. There might be a chance that he's actually innocent of your parents' betrayal and the murders. He also might be guilty ... without trial it's impossible to tell right now."
"What happened to innocent until proven guilty?" Harry demanded. "If he's so rich, why did no one look out for him?"
"It's not my place to speculate. The problem right now is that he's a loose cannon with access to a lot of money. There's no telling what he'll do next. He could try to leave the country, or he could stay and cause a lot of trouble. And that's why the goblins want you to stay hidden until the situation has resolved itself."
"What do you mean, resolved itself?"
Brady sighed and pulled a rolled up poster out of his robe sleeve. Unrolled, it immediately became clear that it was a WANTED poster, one just like in the movies. It showed a maniacally laughing handsome wizard in his early twenties with dark, long hair. Beneath the picture, Harry read: Wanted dead or alive! If seen, contact the Ministry! Do not approach! Danger!
"That's horrible," he whispered and traced the man's face with trembling fingers. "If he's my godfather, why would he want to kill my parents and me? I thought they were best friends?"
"Maybe they were," Williams replied quietly. "But Voldemort was - is! - terrible, and good people were forced or seduced to do terrible things. Black's family was almost completely dark, therefore nobody was really surprised when the Ministry announced his guilt."
"But that's unfair." Harry scowled. "Condemning him because his family wasn't nice."
Williams' sympathetic expression made clear that he knew exactly what Harry meant. "You don't have to condemn him, Harry. All we at Gringotts ask is that you keep safe and let us handle this. Sharptooth explicitly ordered me to tell you that Gringotts won't try to detain Black, should he show up. The whole case is wizard business and they want nothing to do with it. Should he threaten you, however, he'll have made a vicious enemy."
"I understand. I'll be safe, promise." Harry pulled the poster to his chest. "Can I keep this?"
oOo
Half a week had passed without any news about Sirius Black, other than that he was still out and about. Dobby brought Harry the Daily Prophet to keep current, but the newspaper was mostly a disappointment if one was used to large muggle publications.
"I really want to see Hermione," Harry told Dobby as he picked out a T-shirt to wear for the day. "Did she say when she'd be back home?"
"She be home two days now," Dobby informed him and took the rejected shirts back to the wardrobe. "Should Dobby be visiting and asking?"
"I dunno. Meeting in Diagon Alley would be bad, but meeting at my relatives' house would be even worse, right? And I can't bring her here, yet." Dejected, he slumped on the bed and sighed. "What can I do?"
In lieu of an answer, Dobby brought the huge Gringotts Book of Services and flipped it open.
"Another house?" Harry asked doubtfully. "I don't think we can afford one, Dobby ..."
"It just be for renting," the elf explained patiently. "Harry Potter sir could be renting place for a day and meet his Miss Mione there." He grinned. "And maybe Miss Mione's parents, too."
"That's a fine idea!" Harry jumped up and thundered down to the living room, crying, "I'll call Sharptooth!" as he went.
A fistful of Floo powder later, Harry first spoke with his steward and then stepped through to the goblin's office.
"Thank you for meeting me," Harry said, pointing his wand at himself and cleaning up the soot with a small flick. He'd practiced that spell for a couple of days and his successes thrilled him every time. "I'm sorry if it sounded super urgent."
"It's not a problem, youngling. A profit is a profit. Please have a seat. You too, Dobby. Now, I understand you need a safe venue for a day with your friend from school, and possibly her muggle parents?"
"Yes, exactly. I really want to see her. Please say I can rent a flat or something."
"I can do you one better," Sharptooth said, opening a folder and sliding it over his desk towards Harry. "This is a small lake property, pointing westward with a beautiful view. It's very remote, unplottable and fully warded, and it also comes with secure Floo access. However, if you rent a place from Gringotts, your elf will of course be able to come and go as he pleases."
Harry looked at the photos and fell a little in love. "It looks great. How much is it?"
"It doesn't come cheap, but you can certainly afford it. For a full weekend it'll be a hundred galleons, but the bungalow is fully equipped with furniture and bathroom amenities. Food will be provided per your instructions."
"A whole weekend," Harry mused. "Can I get back to you? I have to ask my friend first."
"Write your letter here and have your elf wait for an answer," Sharptooth instructed. "Meanwhile, I'd like to talk with you about your godfather."
"Again? Brady, uh, Healer Williams, already told me that he broke out of Azkaban, and I promised not to go out alone."
"That's not what I wanted to discuss, but it's good to know that you're taking his warning seriously. Please write your note."
The goblin waited until Harry had actually scribbled a short letter and sent Dobby to deliver it before he picked up the conversation again.
"Now we may talk. As there is no easy way to deliver the news, I'll just come right out and tell you: your godfather entered Gringotts exactly two days after his outbreak and swore on his life and magic that he neither betrayed your parents to Voldemort, nor killed the twelve muggles, or attempted to kill a man named Peter Pettigrew."
"So he's innocent!" Harry cried. "Where is he? Why isn't the newspaper writing about it?"
"It's not that easy," Sharptooth said gravelly. "In the eyes of the goblins, he's definitely innocent and may use his funds as he pleases. However, in the wizarding world there's still a manhunt going on and it won't stop until the Ministry learns of his vow to us."
"What's the problem?" Harry demanded. "He's innocent! They should leave him alone!"
"They should, indeed. Unfortunately, this is a deeply political issue and Gringotts doesn't believe that Sirius Black's status will change soon, if at all."
"Incredible," Harry muttered darkly and crossed his arms in front of him.
"Yes, quite. To even the odds for your godfather a little, Gringotts encouraged him to take up the lordship for the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, as the old lord, Arcturus, died while Sirius was in prison. Being head of his magical house and having the family magic on his side will be a huge boon and make the members of the Wizengamot think twice before they try to incarcerate him again."
"Where is he now?" Harry asked. "Can I help him somehow?"
"You can, in fact, but more about that in a moment. First, it is my duty and my pleasure to inform you that Lord Black officially named you his heir, both in blood and in magic, within minutes of claiming his lordship. You're now the heir to two magical houses."
"What." Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. "He doesn't even know me ... and I don't know what that even means."
"He knew you as a babe and apparently loved you beyond reason. He knows what a burden he's placed on your shoulders, but he's more than willing to support you in any way he can. You won't ever want for teachers or money."
"I don't need money," Harry said angrily. "He's family! I need to know ..." His voice broke and his eyes stung a little. "I need to know that not all of my family is like the Dursleys."
"He would love to meet you, but he's not healthy ... not physically, and even more so mentally," Sharptooth said quietly. "For now, he asks for your patience and the use of your trunk at the Dursleys. If you agree, Gringotts will continue to charge one galleon a week to your account. The warders will restrict the Floo to the healers' offices, and maybe to your cottage, once you're back in school. The property would be perfect for his recuperation and your elves could keep an eye on him."
"Yes, of course," Harry agreed immediately. "Whatever he needs."
"You're very eager to help him ... do you feel magically encouraged?"
"I don't think so. It's just unfair how he's been treated, and Azkaban must be the most horrid place on earth. Hagrid had to go there during second year because Minister Fudge needed someone to put away." Harry scowled fiercely. "It was just for show, too. I'm still angry about it."
"You should probably talk to Healer Williams about this. In the meantime, I have a small token of Lord Black's affection for you." Sharptooth took a crystal from a drawer and carefully handed it to Harry. "He embedded his magical signature in this crystal so you could know him at least through his magic."
Immediately reaching for the wisp of magic, Harry said a little wistfully, "He feels nice. I hope he'll be better soon."
"We hope so, too. Now that this matter has been cleared up, there is actually one other thing I need to talk to you about: the money you gifted the victims of the basilisk attacks."
"Oh." Distracted, Harry rubbed the crystal. "What about it? Was someone angry?"
"On the contrary. All your fellow students were very grateful and willingly made the vow to keep it secret, and the muggle parents also promised not to talk about it. No, the students were not causing a small riot in the bank."
"Then who was? Mr. Filch?"
Sharptooth snorted. "That man was so damn happy about the money that he praised you to the heavens, youngling. I'm talking about Sir Nicholas the Mimsy-Porpington ... and the phoenix, Fawkes."
"What? What happened?" Harry asked, flabbergasted.
"Well, Sir Nicholas indeed decided to gift the money to his descendants who were properly surprised, of course, but also very grateful. Young families always are when they receive an unexpected windfall."
"I'm glad," Harry said softly. "But what was the problem there?"
"Apparently Dumbledore felt cheated out of the portion and tried to insist that Sir Nicholas didn't have the standing to actually receive goods, monetary or otherwise, being dead for several centuries and whatnot. Gringotts taught him differently, but he didn't like it. Not at all, and it got even worse."
"Uh, because of Fawkes?" Harry guessed. "What did he do?"
Smirking, Sharptooth shuffled his papers and plucked one out of the stack. "See for yourself."
More and more bewildered, Harry stared at the return notice, signed with a print of the phoenix's large foot. "He gave the money back? Why?"
"Look closer, youngling."
At the bottom of the note, Harry discovered a small line of text. It didn't look like any handwriting he knew, and the precise letters were faintly glittering with magic.
"Reason for return: No need for money, want to visit." Harry blinked. "He wants to visit? Me?"
"Apparently, yes. You are the owner of a rather magical piece of land now. Not much is known about phoenixes; it might be the perfect holiday spot for him." Sharptooth gently laid out a roll of parchment. "Magic formed a contract on Fawkes' behalf. You only need to sign to make everything legal."
"But he can visit whenever he likes," Harry protested. "He can keep the money!"
"He doesn't want it, he's made that perfectly clear," Sharptooth said. "He wishes to visit your properties, especially Potter's Field. To him, that is thanks enough."
Harry frown deepened. "I feel like a thief."
"But it'll make him happy," Sharptooth countered. "Maybe your elves are not the only beings in need of a quiet hiding place."
"I guess he does have quite a bit of excitement, living in a school and stuff..." Harry frowned. "I'll have to tell Dobby to find out what a phoenix even eats. If he stays longer, I don't want him to have to leave everytime he gets hungry."
"That's a plan," Sharptooth said approvingly. "Please sign here, and again here. The galleons will be transferred back to your basilisk account immediately."
"It's the Elf Fund now," Harry replied absently as he signed his name. "I more or less gave it to Dobby so he can buy all the things he needs to get Potter's Field in shape." He glanced up and grinned at Sharptooth. "Yesterday he told me that he wants to buy chickens! Isn't that cool?"
Sharptooth showed his teeth as he sort of grinned back. "Will your second elf have access also?"
"I don't think so. She's only been with us for a few days and since Dobby is the boss and he didn't say anything ..." Harry shrugged. "I've just started reading his book on house elves and don't want to insult him or anything."
"Most of the time, house elves sort themselves out," Sharptooth agreed. "They all have the basic skills, but just like humans, their interests and talents set them apart. One might be able to cook in a pinch, but their true place would be in the garden, or with the animals, or even by their master's side in a profession. House elves are versatile and creative creatures."
"They're the most magical thing I've seen so far," Harry admitted. "They can do almost anything!"
"That they can," Sharptooth agreed. "And for their friends, they'll move mountains."
Just then, Dobby popped back into the office. He looked shaken and simply stared at Harry in mute horror.
"Dobby?" Harry carefully touched the elf's shoulder.
"Oh, Harry Potter sir!" Dobby suddenly wailed. "How can Harry Potter sir be so kind when his family be so very bad!"
"Merlin's pants, what happened?" Harry asked, alarmed. "I thought you went to see Hermione?"
"Dobby was!" Howling, Dobby pulled at his ears. "But Miss Mione and her parents be trying to surprise Harry Potter sir at mean Dursley house, and bad, mad uncle got out old shotgun and screamed at them like he be a lunatic."
"Oh no," Harry whispered, horrified. "What happened then?"
"Miss Mione's parents be calling for help and neighbours be calling the police. When nobody be looking, I be popping them away." Dobby wrung his hands nervously. "I not be knowing where to go so I took them to Gringotts. Dobby be sorry, but Dobby be afraid for their lives. Bad muggle be really, really dangerous."
"It's quite alright, Dobby, that was some quick thinking on your part," Sharptooth said. "I'll arrange for their escort here. With your permission, Heir Potter, we should spin this meeting towards the basilisk fund, since the Grangers will propably have something to say about that. If it deflects from your relatives, even better. Whatever else comes up, we'll deal with then."
Harry nodded his assent, although this really, really wasn't how he'd imagined meeting Hermione again. And it was only half eleven in the morning, too! Sometimes just getting out of bed seemed to be a prelude to some drama or adventure.
Barely five minutes later, the door to Sharptooth's office opened and a little tornado with very tanned skin and bushy hair rushed through and clamped her arms around Harry in a tight grip.
"Harry!" Hermione wailed as she squeezed him with a lot more strength than any girl should reasonably possess. "I was so afraid when your uncle pointed a shotgun at us! Who even does that?" Over her shoulder, she shrilly cried, "I told you that his relatives were the worst!"
"'ermione," Harry gasped. "'mione! Can't ... breathe!"
"Oh! Oh, I'm so, so sorry," she cried, releasing him but promptly beginning to pat him down as she looked for bullet holes. "He didn't shoot you, right?"
"I'm fine, Hermione," Harry said and impulsively hugged her again. "I'm really fine and I'm sorry Uncle Vernon gave you such a scare."
"Well, it wasn't exactly because of the shotgun," Dan Granger offered dryly. He and his wife were just as tanned as Hermione, and looked very much like returned travellers. "That had a knot in the barrel. But he swung it around like a club and really could have hurt someone with it."
Emma Granger was still a little shaky. "He was like a charging bull ... even frothing at the mouth a little." Her wet eyes sized Harry up. "I don't know how people can leave you there! We should call social services immediately."
"No, please, Mrs. Granger, everything is fine now," Harry said into Hermione's abundant curls. She hung on tightly and he found that he didn't mind holding her a little longer. Her smell was fresh and clean and just a little sweet. "Has Hermione told you about Dobby?" When they replied that she had, Harry explained, "He's been protecting me from the Dursleys. They couldn't do anything to me this summer and I've been really well."
"But is that enough?" Mrs. Granger asked. She wiped at her smudged make-up. "We're not your parents, obviously, but I can't imagine our Hermione living like that. It's torture. If we can help, we will."
"I've been really lucky," Harry assured her. "Dobby's been looking after me, and Gringotts has been a great help, too. But thank you, I appreciate it."
Hearing that, Hermione gasped and stepped back. Her hands settled on Harry's shoulders and she gave him a little shake. "Gringotts! Gosh, Harry! How could you? Ten thousand galleons! That's crazy, you can't do that!"
"I can and I have, no take backs," Harry grinned, only too ready to drop the subject of his family. "Just think about all the books you can buy later!"
"I don't need the money," Hermione insisted, shaking him again. "I was happy to help, and I wasn't petrified that long."
"I want you to have it, and without you, Voldemort would have killed Ginny and resurrected himself." Harry shook off her grip and grabbed her hands so she couldn't start again. "You deserve much more, honestly, and I might tell my account manager to draft another transfer order if you keep refusing."
"Wha ..." Hermione gaped at him like a beached fish. "Harry James Potter!"
"So that is his full name?" Dan Granger chuckled. "She's got that from you, dear."
Mrs. Granger raised an eyebrow. "Keep it up, Daniel Marcus, and you'll walk home."
"Honestly, Hermione, I sold the basilisk for much more and you really, really need to accept this because I don't want my best friend going home with nothing when she almost died trying to help me."
"I'm your best friend?" she whispered, her fingers clenching in Harry's. "Really?"
"I thought you weren't stupid," Harry teased her. "Accept the money, please. You'll only get it when you're of age, anyway, so it's not like I did you a huge favour."
Again she was stunned, and her parents snorted with laughter.
"He's got you there, princess," Mr. Granger smirked. "You'll still have to manage your pocket money for a couple more years to expand your library."
Hermione's eyes welled up with tears and she flung herself at Harry for the second time. "Alright," she whispered. "I'll not give it back. But I'm not your friend because you gave me money!"
"Great," Harry said sincerely and returned her hug happily.
"By the way, Harry, since you're here now: us Grangers wanted to take you out for your birthday, if you'd like. Hermione insisted on doing something fun and eating ice cream," Mr. Granger said when the teens had finally separated. "How about it? Are you free today?"
Harry shared a glance with Sharptooth and nodded at the goblin to field this question.
"Heir Potter has informed me of your daughter's intention to spend some time with him. As you know, he's in an unenviable position and can't go out like other wizards his age. We were just talking about that very thing, in fact, when Mr. Potter's elf found you."
"Do you have an idea?" Hermione asked eagerly.
"Yeah, I do." Harry accepted the book and showed the Grangers the bungalow he and Sharptooth had been discussing. "We could to that for the weekend! And Dobby could go get ice cream from Fortesque's easily." He smiled hopefully. "It could be my birthday party, and your parents can come, of course."
Hermione's eyes misted over and she looked beseechingly at her parents. "Can we do that, please? Please, please, please?"
Mr. and Mrs. Granger read the information on the bungalow, exchanged a glance, and then Mrs. Granger asked, "Is that really secure enough for Harry? I'd hate for him to get hurt. Also, can we really go there tomorrow already? Isn't that a little too late for preparations?"
"It's very safe," Sharptooth replied. "Rental agreements can be made confidentally as long as the lessee isn't a wanted criminal. As Mr. Potter isn't a wanted criminal, no one will even know that he rented the property. And yes, the property will be ready for your visit any time after eight in the morning. In fact, I'd recommend arriving there early, as the light will be quite beautiful."
"Well ..." Mr. Granger looked at his wife and received a nod. "Then we thank you very much for the invitation, young man!"
Hermione squealed excitedly and bounced a little, much like Dobby when he was happy. As her girly bits had developed a bit since Harry had seen her last, he first stared and then hastily looked away with flushed cheeks.
Soon after, the Grangers were ready to go home. While Hermione and her mother were talking to Sharptooth about something, Mr. Granger took Harry aside.
"Please don't take this the wrong way, lad, but would you mind letting me pay half of the rent for this weekend?" he murmured. "It's not about you not being able to afford it, it's about me making sure that my girls are safe. And also because it's your birthday and we wanted to treat you, and now you're the one treating us."
Harry looked at his shoes. "It's really not necessary, Mr. Granger. I'm happy to pay and make sure Hermione is safe. I'm really sorry she's been in so much danger because of me."
"None of that Mister stuff," Dan said mock-sternly. "Call me Dan, and my wife Emma, if you please. You're a good lad and her best friend. Please let me do this for you both. Money is not an issue in my family and I'm more than happy to do my part."
Realizing that Dan wouldn't give up, Harry accepted the offer graciously, if a little shyly, and they went to Sharptooth to finalize the deal.
"Dobby will pick you up at eight," Harry told them once everything was signed. Hermione's beaming smile made him feel very grown up. "See you then!"
"Bye, Harry!" Hermione waved and then left the office with her parents.
Back home himself, Harry stared at his trampoline and felt guilty for wanting to take the thing to the bungalow just so he could see Hermione jump some more.
oOo
He told Dobby to pack the trampoline.
And the broom, and the bike, but it felt shallow and dishonest.
"Harry Potter sir be growing," Dobby told him in utter unconcern. "And Miss Mione be handsome female ... for a human."
"Yeah, yeah," Harry groaned as he paced on his lawn. "I feel like a pervert. I should leave it here."
"You be loving that trampoline," Dobby tutted. "Dobby be taking it, no discussion. Will Harry Potter sir be good going with Betty?"
The small elf's blue eyes shone with excitement. "Betty be knowing where to go!"
"Dobby be meeting you there!" And the elf was gone, leaving Harry alone with his misery.
"Harry Potter sir just be good boy," Betty advised him. "Looking at Miss Mione be alright, for more he be needing permission."
"I know that," Harry muttered. "It's just ... she went away and came back all ... pretty! Like, seriously! I mean, I still like her and she's my best friend but I'm an idiot and I'll mess it up. Gah!"
Betty giggled. "All men do, you not be anything special, Harry Potter sir. You be ready to meet your guests?"
Sighing, Harry took her tiny hand. "Yeah, let's go."
She took him to the deck of the bungalow where the Grangers were already admiring the view over the lake, and popped away immediately to take care of breakfast.
"Harry, good morning!" Hermione came up to him. "This place is wonderful! And did you see? There's a trampoline!"
Harry flushed. Thankfully, her father rescued him by saying, "There's also a broom, do you think you might take me up for a ride? Hermione isn't much of a flyer and I've always wanted to see how it is."
"Sure! Right now?"
"Dan," Emma protested.
"Just a small tour over the lake," Dan promised. "You'll make it good, right, Harry?"
Despite not knowing Hermione's parents well at all, Harry had a lot of fun with Dan as his passenger. After a few easy laps around the property, he gradually went higher and faster until they were zooming around at a good speed.
"Do you want to do a dive?" Harry asked.
"'course I do!" Dan shouted. "I love rollercoasters!"
It took almost fifteen minutes for the thrill to wear off and even then Harry had to promise that they'd do this again before the weekend was over.
"It's time for breakfast now, you crazy person," Emma said and sent her windblown husband off to wash his hands.
Harry followed sheepishly, but he'd honestly had too much fun to feel very chastised.
Breakfast was a drawn out affair and the Grangers made sure to tell Harry everything about their almost month-long vacation in France. He especially loved the stories about the beach and the little towns they'd visited in the country, and loved the photos of the same even more, but the drawn out descriptions about all the delicious food was also feeding his wanderlust.
"Hermione ate like a horse and never gained an ounce," Emma scowled playfully, "while I had to watch every bite of mousse au chocolat and croissant. She looks like a stick insect next to me!"
Harry looked at the picture, where Hermione was brightly smiling back at him, her arm around her mother's waist and looking more alive and carefree than Harry had ever seen her. "You look both very nice," Harry said honestly. "I don't think the croissants did any harm."
"Thank you dear," Emma replied with a smile. "And thank you for this wonderful breakfast! Your elf is a fantastic cook!"
Later, as her parents paddled out onto the lake in a small boat, Hermione went for a turn on the trampoline. And while Harry was indeed doing a bit of looking, it soon became more important to show her how to jump especially high, and of course how to do perfect flips. Not a fan of flying, Hermione nonetheless showed a surprising aptitude for this particular sport and had even more stamina than Harry.
"I wish we had space in the garden for one of those," she said breathlessly. Carefully, she climbed down and gratefully collapsed on the picnic blanket Betty hat laid out under a tree. "It's so great. My legs are burning all over."
Without thinking, Harry took his wand from the blanket and muttered a simply healing charm at Hermione's sore legs. "Better?"
"Yes, but Harry! You just used magic! Won't you get in trouble?" Worried, Hermione looked up into the sky as if she expected an owl to swoop down at any moment.
"Don't worry, this property is unplottable. The ministry won't know. If you've got your wand on you, you can do magic, too." Harry put his wand back down and reached into the basket. "Are you hungry? Dobby made tortilla with extra veggies and sausage."
Together, they demolished almost the whole pie and washed it down with Dobby's lemonade. Hermione's parents joined them then and they spent another hour together just snacking, resting, and talking. After, Hermione taught Harry how to row the boat and Dan coaxed Emma onto the trampoline.
When tea time approached, Dan demonstratively handed Dobby a few galleons and told him to get everyone their favourite sundaes. Hermione's was relatively small, only three scoops, but it came with a mountain of whipped cream, fresh fruit and apple sauce. Dan and Emma each had chosen the craziest flavours and Harry was very happy with his fruit flavours, chocolate sauce and fresh fruit.
"I swear, Fortesque's is my favourite shop on Diagon Alley," Dan moaned. "This is so good."
"And I'll definitely gain a couple of pounds this weekend," Emma laughed, "but it is absolutely worth it."
In the evening, they played a board game and talked about books. Dinner came and went, and afterwards Dan urged Harry to start the music box with his magic.
"It's even got normal music in it. How about a dance, Emma? What about you, Hermione?"
Emma was all for it and snuggled into her husband, but Hermione was suddenly shy and could hardly look at Harry.
"I don't know how to dance, really, but if you want, we can try," Harry offered bravely. "Dobby and Betty really went all out to decorate the deck."
"With fairy lights," Hermione smiled. "It's beautiful." She took Harry's offered hand and helped him into the right position for a slow sway. "I first learned in primary school, but I didn't like it very much," she confessed. "Later, my parents sent me to dancing lessons and that was pretty neat."
"You definitely know what you're doing," Harry said. "Thanks. And sorry for stepping on your toes, when it happens."
Hermione giggled leaned just a bit closer. "It hasn't happened yet. Don't worry, just enjoy the music."
The song ended and another began, this one a bit more lively. Hermione showed Harry the steps and encouraged him to hold her around the waist. It was awkward at first, but since her parents weren't even looking, Harry soon relaxed and gained a little confidence. At the end of the evening, when a calm, sweet number played and they seemed to be all alone in the world among the fairy lights and beside the dark, still lake, Harry dared touching his cheek to Hermione's and closed his eyes for a moment.
"This day has been fantastic," he murmured. "Thanks for coming to see me."
"There's nothing I'd rather do," she whispered back. "And we still have tomorrow."
"It's kind of strange, not having Ron here," Harry admitted, "but I like this, too."
"Where is he, anyway?" she asked after a short pause.
Harry told her about the lottery and the trip to Egypt. "I thought he'd have told you," he finished, "but it seems they were leaving as soon as they knew about the win. Maybe he simply didn't have time. Ron's handwriting was rather bad."