Categories > Books > Harry Potter > The Horror of Harry's Horcrux
6. Schedules, Missives, and More Entries
'I need to formulate a plan and I need to do it now.' A very assimilated Harry James Potter thought to himself. He was pacing back and forth the diminished expanse of that which was the smallest bedroom at number four Privet Drive. His pacing wasn't reckless or that which would normally be an angst-filled teen. It was that of a learned tactician, that of one who became pensive in the face of adversity.
Sitting down in front of his desk, which had bits of parchment littered across it, which at first glance of an untrained I would think he was a rather horribly disorganized boy of fifteen, however had they watched as he organized these scraps of paper within the next minute or so they would realize that this wasn't haphazard, but the beginnings of an organized and detailed plan.
Harry Potter had come into his full power when the fifteen year old and the Horcrux had come together, and by full power, it wasn't as if he lacked magical ability so much as before but rather that the knowledge his Horcrux held was more than any other magical being had ever before possessed. He knew spells that hadn't been thought of and ways to use the simplest of spells for the most devious of reasons. There were many things that he hadn't quite realized and the older version of himself had told him to formulate a plan.
He wrote down thoughts and ideas on random slips of parchment. No matter what time it was or where he was, and usually he was in his room. He would jot down a random thought. Now, amidst the confetti of random thoughts he began to organize them.
How will Hermione react to the letter I see? He looked at the question that had been written on the slightly discolored slip of yellowed parchment and it was if reading it at that very moment in time had been prophecy in and of it self, Hedwig flew in through the window and quietly landed on the desk in front of him with a letter from Hermione.
He took a deep breath, quickly took the letter from his familiar and without needing to be told she quickly flew into her cage and tucked her head behind her wing. Within seconds his snowy owl was already putting forth a serious effort to the business of gaining herself some rest after a few exerting evening. Making her Harry happy was her top priority, after all.
Harry's hands went to task almost hesitantly. He plucked up his courage as best he could and then, with the speed and grace that he normally reserved to use during a Quidditch match he tore the envelope, unfolded the letter and proceeded to read her reply.
Dear Harry,
I'm so glad that you decided to keep to your promise, although, I did not expect to hear from you so soon. It was a rather pleasant surprise, so please don't think that this was meant to scold you.
I was also as equally surprised to hear that you've decided to take you summer studies seriously and are currently putting forth the effort. I, too, began summer homework and have already put forth my schedule so that I can maximize the efficiency of both what is expected from me for my academic expectations as well as having some fun.
Harry, I know that your life with your relatives is hard. It's evident each and every year that we meet again to return to school. You're so skinny and I do hope that you are able to have proper meals this summer. Please let me know if you need anything and perhaps I can send some packages with Hedwig as we continue to correspond.
I've been a bit hesitant with how to address the kiss I gave you last week. Harry I did mean to do it, however, had I truly known that you had never had a proper kiss. I'm getting off track and now I'm plucking up my Gryffindor courage myself by admitting that had I known you would have allowed me I would have given you a more proper kiss.
You mean the world to me Harry. You've been my best friend since first year, and while Ron has been my friend as well, with the bickering and fighting that he and I have done over the years, but you have been the more true of friends and we have rarely had much of a disagreement.
I've had a bit of a crush on you Harry since first year since an amazing young and determined boy abandoned what was easy and jumped atop a mountain troll to save a girl he hardly even knew outside of being a bit of a know-it-all and a bookworm with bushy hair and overly large incisors.
I know that it probably sounds horrible of me to talk about myself like that but it's the truth and I know it. Just know that I'm not what I would call a Boy-Who-Lived fan-girl. I know you and have known you for the past four years and I hope that if you do not return my affections that you can at least agree to continue the status quo of our friendship.
Last, you haven't mentioned how you are doing since returning to your relatives in the regard of coping with Cedric's Death. Remember Harry it is not your fault that he died and that fault solely rests on the shoulders of the man whom held the wand and used the curse with utter conviction. It was done to strike fear into you and break your spirit. Please do not allow him to be successful in those efforts. Cedric wouldn't want that of you and you must know that I wouldn't either.
Love,
Hermione
To say that Harry found himself completely dumb-struck by what he read. He expected her to tell him that he was being silly and that she liked Ron. That is the way things were supposed to work. Ron had called dibs on Hermione, effectively last year, and all the while Harry had on a subconscious level resented him a little for it, it was now clear to him that Ron's faith in his charisma was misplaced when it came to their best friend. Ron would be crushed but at the same time, he had called dibs. Hermione was not a possession she was a person whom had her own thoughts and feelings and a couple of hormonal boys had actually placed her into the possession category around the time of the Yule Ball.
Thinking about the Yule Ball, she did look absolutely stunning and he, too, had been guilty in not thinking about her in the girl category. Harry rationalized that the reason for this hadn't been the same reason as she might have thought, however. Most girls were giggling messes and Hermione had never been that. She had been rational and thought provoking always, but she had never been non-approachable to either him or Ron and with that readily availableness that took her out of the same category of the other girls, just not for the same reason.
In all honesty, Harry really would have asked her to the Ball had he honestly wanted to go, but it had been one of the things that he had dreaded as much as he dreaded another confrontation with another manifestation of Voldemort and therefore waited until the last moment.
Teenage boys were just that, and with that, they were subject to Hormones just as much as teenage girls. He found Cho Chang to be rather beautiful and she at times was even able to talk to Harry, made herself available through that conversation and Harry soon found that she was just as easy to talk to as Hermione had been. The problem was that when it came closer and closer to the time of the Ball, to Harry's utter horror, he found that he was not only required to attend the ball, and not only required to have a date for said ball, but he was to open the ball as being a Tri-wizard Champion with a dance.
Now, he realized with the potential of future events the actual purpose of the Horcrux. It was to make his future self a paradox and to alter the events, and one of those events that he was determined to change one of the most important ones, Hermione. Dibs or not it was clear with the letter that he had just read that she was not only just interested in Harry; not the Boy-Who-Lived, but the boy whom she had known for the last four years. The girl that future Harry had known for twice that and that this Hermione could be much more of an asset to him in many ways by taking a proactive stance in pursuing a relationship.
Sitting back down at his desk with the letter still in his hand, he placed it off to the side momentarily. He was still a teen and as such was subject to distraction. He had a purpose today and that was to formulate his plan. Looking at the scraps of paper, he began to read and make notes in his journal.
Save Sirius. Two words stared back up at him from the brief note that he made. This would be a top priority; however, Harry had to look at the whole picture. This year Voldemort would try to trick him into going into the hall of prophecies in the Department of Mysteries. This he just couldn't allow to happen. If it happened that way again he would end up watching his godfather die all over again. Next, in working this plan, with the knowledge of his older self, he wasn't sure how he would react to seeing Sirius again. He knew that there was a plan to pick him up in a little over two months and take him to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black and that they would be forced to clean and he would find out about the Order of the Phoenix.
Confront Professor Dumbledore about the prophecy and address the potential of being manipulated from all sides. Make a stand. Harry knew that Dumbledore did many things with the motivation of everything being for the greater good. The problem was that the man had lived for such a long time that he may have lost perspective of what impact his machinations may have. He didn't know whether or not the old man knew the conditions for which he lived and he would have to feel him out while using Legilimency.
Fix Ginevra Molly Weasley. This was something that Harry had thought long and hard about and in further retrospect from his older self he felt that on some level that he had failed her during her first year by not checking to see if there had been any lasting effect as a direct result of her being possessed by Tom Riddle. The fact that more sooner than later he would be confronted with a newly possessed Ginny and he had to make sure that didn't occur. That would be another thing that he would have to ensure to make a change for the better. He also had to squash her crush. He realized that in her previous incarnation she had used Amortentia potion that she acquired this year on him to gain a relationship with him. This, too, would have to change.
Find out what is going on with Hermione and him and whether or not she is interested in pursuing a relationship with him. Judging by the letter that he had just read, he was rather certain that she was most definitely interested in pursuing something here. The only problem that he foresaw was the reaction of one Ronald Bilius Weasley to him pursuing a romantic relationship with the one whom he had claimed dibs on through subterfuge.
Acquire a copy of his parents will. Harry realized that this, too, would be rather difficult to accomplish. He knew this for the simple reason that he would be fifteen years only in a little over a month and still not old enough to take the proper precautions to ensure his emancipation. Should he be able to save Sirius, he still had the hope of living with him and getting to know him outside of his godfather's certain desperation when it came to him.
Meet with representatives of Gringotts and securely hire Gringott's curse breakers to assist with the acquisition of Tom Riddle's Horcruxes. Harry felt that if he took a more active approach here that he could better his position sooner than his older self had. He would use Bill Weasley, if at all possible and as long as he provided a wizard's oath of secrecy.
Find Wormtail and make him pay. This was something that he thought should be a high priority and looked at the extra stars that Harry had drawn on this scrap of parchment. Securing the capture of Peter Pettigrew would allow quite a few things, but at the same time, he would have to meet other objectives first. Capturing Peter before the Horcruxes could possibly force Tom into a protective defense. Should he feel the necessity to move them because he felt uneasy it could definitely skew the time-line enough to move things in his favor.
Train his body. Harry looked at himself now with a critical eye. He was too thin. He was malnourished and in the other time-stream it had nearly caused him to loose. With a few extra years of physical training, he would be quicker on the draw, have been reflexes and more stamina. He would have to be, both, decisive in what he hoped to attain and he would have to have support.
Hire Dobby and Winky to help him and ensure that he has a proper diet. This is something that he could start with now.
"Dobby!" Harry stated as matter of fact and with a soft pop a rather overly eager house-elf wearing multiple knitted hats and socks of many colors(Unfortunately this also included the first one that he acquired which at one time belonged to Harry).
"Master Harry Potter sir is needing Dobby?" He questioned with a look of hope in his eye.
"Yes Dobby. I was hoping that I could hire you away from Hogwarts, and Winky as well. I am in need of assistance and the first thought I had was you. Are you available?" He asked, already seeing the contemplative look in the little elf's eyes.
"Oh yes, sir, Master Harry Potter sir, however I would not be requiring payment! I would willingly bond with Harry Potter sir and be a proper House Elf."
"But Dobby, what about your freedom. It was an extremely difficult task to get you spirited away from Lucius Malfoy. Wouldn't you be trading away your life again into slavery?"
"Would Harry Potter sir be as cruel as former master?" Dobby asked with a apprehensive look in his eye.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Harry all but screamed at the frightened elf, and noticed the fear immediately disappear.
"The Dobby is agreeing to be bonded to Master Harry Potter sir, and Winky would just as eagerly agree. We are not agreeing to slavery, Harry Potter sir, but servitude to a great and noble wizard. Former Master was... A dark and evil Wizard and took Dobby by force from his family. Now, Dobby will have his family back!" Dobby said with a resolve and revelation that Harry hadn't known.
"Dobby?" Harry asked and once the little elf had looked up at him and he knew that he had Dobby's attention. "Did you serve the house of Potter before becoming the Malfoy's house elf?"
"No sir, Harry Potter sir, Dobby's was being too young, but Dobby's mummy and daddy were Potter elves and I was to be, as well."
"Well then, let me welcome you back to the family. Let me make one thing clear though, Dobby. There will be absolutely no punishing yourself. If you are uncertain of a course of action, please ask me, and if you could, please Dobby, call me Harry?" He finished and if he didn't see it with his own eyes he would not believe that the little elf's eyes could get any bigger. He began to openly weep and when Harry actually thought that perhaps he had gone just a little too far, he was once again bouncing up and squealing in absolute delight.
"And Master... um, Harry is wishing to hire Winky as well?" Dobby asked hopefully.
"Dobby, is there something that I should know about Winky and you?" Harry asked with a slight smile upon his face, and noticing the look of hesitance that came across Dobby's face before it melted into resolve.
"Winky is being Dobby's mate, Harry Potter, sir. I is hoping that is being okay?" He asked hopefully.
"Yes, Dobby that is most welcome." Harry said, but then quickly went into what was needed here and now. "Dobby, I must confess to you that my relatives do not take good care of me and as such, on of your top priorities will be to ensure that I am properly fed throughout the day. If you would take of my room for me as well, that would be most helpful. Also, I need the Potter properties to be taken care off as well, by you and Winky. Can you do this for me?" Harry asked meekly. He knew that the elf would do it before the question left his mouth but at the same point.
"Oh yes sir, Dobby is most agreeing to fatten up skinny Mas... Harry up nicely."
"Well, I don't want to get fat, Dobby, just healthy, and I cannot do that while trying to live on what my family provides. I do appreciate it." Harry finished honestly.
With another soft pop, Harry's newly reacquired house elf disappeared. Harry assumed that the elf had disappeared to get Winky and give her the good news. It was just after eight o'clock in the morning and Harry had, as usual cooked a full spread for the Dursleys only to be rewarded with a small crust of bread a left over egg yolk that had somewhat dried to the other three's plates. Upon his return to his room however Harry was taken aback by what he had found. There were three plates of Eggs with Bangers and Bacon. Another plate piled high with pancakes, whipped cream and strawberry marmalade. The third plate was fresh fruits consisting of oranges, bananas, strawberries, and pineapple.
Harry was amazed but at the same point ravenous. He tore into the food and within twenty minutes the plates were empty. He sat back with a very satisfied and full stomach and then with his firm conviction sat down and detailed an exercise regiment that he would follow.
Once he completed the schedule which only two a few minutes he began stretching and then running for half an hour without stopping. Once he was done, to ensure that his legs didn't cramp up, he slowed to a job for a few minutes and then walked the remainder back to Privet Drive. He decided that the best thing for him to do was to work out gradually. He would alternate his running to every other day for the next two weeks. On the odd days he would do sit-ups and push-ups and he would go to the part down the road and use the monkey bars for the purpose of chin-ups and inverted hanging sit ups.
After the two weeks were up he would combine the work out regime until he was completing the whole schedule daily. This would add muscle and stamina to his person and bring his body to where he wanted it to be. He would also look into free weights but that would have to wait until he was able to get to Gringotts and exchange some galleons for pounds.
Finally, accomplishing what it was that he decided was today's goal, he went back and re-read Hermione's letter. He quickly grabbed his quill and began another letter to Hermione in response to the one that she had sent him. He had to explain his actions now as well as use his best friend's ear, or in this case eyes to gain another perspective in what he had planned. Last, he had to lay the ground work that he felt was necessary to see whether she would be interested in him romantically. Even though reading her words she seemed to be, she would not expect him to immediately pick up on it and while he had he didn't want to inadvertently push her away with his eager acceptance of their mutual admiration.
Hedwig, ever the eager familiar, quickly flew from her cage, caught the letter in her beak in mid air and rushed out the window before Harry could even protest.
"I cannot believe that I just asked her to be my girlfriend. So much for dibs, Ron." Harry said with a smile on his face as he leaned back on his bed with his fingers interlaced behind his head.
/A/N: I hope that you enjoy what I'm writing. This story is going to kind of play out a lot slower than some of my others so I'm kind of laying some ground work. It's not going to be a sex fest but there will be some later in the story. It's part of life. I'd like to hear some thoughts on the direction and what you think of the story as it develops. What you'd like to see. If you're being critical, be specific. Read, Review and Enjoy./
'I need to formulate a plan and I need to do it now.' A very assimilated Harry James Potter thought to himself. He was pacing back and forth the diminished expanse of that which was the smallest bedroom at number four Privet Drive. His pacing wasn't reckless or that which would normally be an angst-filled teen. It was that of a learned tactician, that of one who became pensive in the face of adversity.
Sitting down in front of his desk, which had bits of parchment littered across it, which at first glance of an untrained I would think he was a rather horribly disorganized boy of fifteen, however had they watched as he organized these scraps of paper within the next minute or so they would realize that this wasn't haphazard, but the beginnings of an organized and detailed plan.
Harry Potter had come into his full power when the fifteen year old and the Horcrux had come together, and by full power, it wasn't as if he lacked magical ability so much as before but rather that the knowledge his Horcrux held was more than any other magical being had ever before possessed. He knew spells that hadn't been thought of and ways to use the simplest of spells for the most devious of reasons. There were many things that he hadn't quite realized and the older version of himself had told him to formulate a plan.
He wrote down thoughts and ideas on random slips of parchment. No matter what time it was or where he was, and usually he was in his room. He would jot down a random thought. Now, amidst the confetti of random thoughts he began to organize them.
How will Hermione react to the letter I see? He looked at the question that had been written on the slightly discolored slip of yellowed parchment and it was if reading it at that very moment in time had been prophecy in and of it self, Hedwig flew in through the window and quietly landed on the desk in front of him with a letter from Hermione.
He took a deep breath, quickly took the letter from his familiar and without needing to be told she quickly flew into her cage and tucked her head behind her wing. Within seconds his snowy owl was already putting forth a serious effort to the business of gaining herself some rest after a few exerting evening. Making her Harry happy was her top priority, after all.
Harry's hands went to task almost hesitantly. He plucked up his courage as best he could and then, with the speed and grace that he normally reserved to use during a Quidditch match he tore the envelope, unfolded the letter and proceeded to read her reply.
Dear Harry,
I'm so glad that you decided to keep to your promise, although, I did not expect to hear from you so soon. It was a rather pleasant surprise, so please don't think that this was meant to scold you.
I was also as equally surprised to hear that you've decided to take you summer studies seriously and are currently putting forth the effort. I, too, began summer homework and have already put forth my schedule so that I can maximize the efficiency of both what is expected from me for my academic expectations as well as having some fun.
Harry, I know that your life with your relatives is hard. It's evident each and every year that we meet again to return to school. You're so skinny and I do hope that you are able to have proper meals this summer. Please let me know if you need anything and perhaps I can send some packages with Hedwig as we continue to correspond.
I've been a bit hesitant with how to address the kiss I gave you last week. Harry I did mean to do it, however, had I truly known that you had never had a proper kiss. I'm getting off track and now I'm plucking up my Gryffindor courage myself by admitting that had I known you would have allowed me I would have given you a more proper kiss.
You mean the world to me Harry. You've been my best friend since first year, and while Ron has been my friend as well, with the bickering and fighting that he and I have done over the years, but you have been the more true of friends and we have rarely had much of a disagreement.
I've had a bit of a crush on you Harry since first year since an amazing young and determined boy abandoned what was easy and jumped atop a mountain troll to save a girl he hardly even knew outside of being a bit of a know-it-all and a bookworm with bushy hair and overly large incisors.
I know that it probably sounds horrible of me to talk about myself like that but it's the truth and I know it. Just know that I'm not what I would call a Boy-Who-Lived fan-girl. I know you and have known you for the past four years and I hope that if you do not return my affections that you can at least agree to continue the status quo of our friendship.
Last, you haven't mentioned how you are doing since returning to your relatives in the regard of coping with Cedric's Death. Remember Harry it is not your fault that he died and that fault solely rests on the shoulders of the man whom held the wand and used the curse with utter conviction. It was done to strike fear into you and break your spirit. Please do not allow him to be successful in those efforts. Cedric wouldn't want that of you and you must know that I wouldn't either.
Love,
Hermione
To say that Harry found himself completely dumb-struck by what he read. He expected her to tell him that he was being silly and that she liked Ron. That is the way things were supposed to work. Ron had called dibs on Hermione, effectively last year, and all the while Harry had on a subconscious level resented him a little for it, it was now clear to him that Ron's faith in his charisma was misplaced when it came to their best friend. Ron would be crushed but at the same time, he had called dibs. Hermione was not a possession she was a person whom had her own thoughts and feelings and a couple of hormonal boys had actually placed her into the possession category around the time of the Yule Ball.
Thinking about the Yule Ball, she did look absolutely stunning and he, too, had been guilty in not thinking about her in the girl category. Harry rationalized that the reason for this hadn't been the same reason as she might have thought, however. Most girls were giggling messes and Hermione had never been that. She had been rational and thought provoking always, but she had never been non-approachable to either him or Ron and with that readily availableness that took her out of the same category of the other girls, just not for the same reason.
In all honesty, Harry really would have asked her to the Ball had he honestly wanted to go, but it had been one of the things that he had dreaded as much as he dreaded another confrontation with another manifestation of Voldemort and therefore waited until the last moment.
Teenage boys were just that, and with that, they were subject to Hormones just as much as teenage girls. He found Cho Chang to be rather beautiful and she at times was even able to talk to Harry, made herself available through that conversation and Harry soon found that she was just as easy to talk to as Hermione had been. The problem was that when it came closer and closer to the time of the Ball, to Harry's utter horror, he found that he was not only required to attend the ball, and not only required to have a date for said ball, but he was to open the ball as being a Tri-wizard Champion with a dance.
Now, he realized with the potential of future events the actual purpose of the Horcrux. It was to make his future self a paradox and to alter the events, and one of those events that he was determined to change one of the most important ones, Hermione. Dibs or not it was clear with the letter that he had just read that she was not only just interested in Harry; not the Boy-Who-Lived, but the boy whom she had known for the last four years. The girl that future Harry had known for twice that and that this Hermione could be much more of an asset to him in many ways by taking a proactive stance in pursuing a relationship.
Sitting back down at his desk with the letter still in his hand, he placed it off to the side momentarily. He was still a teen and as such was subject to distraction. He had a purpose today and that was to formulate his plan. Looking at the scraps of paper, he began to read and make notes in his journal.
Save Sirius. Two words stared back up at him from the brief note that he made. This would be a top priority; however, Harry had to look at the whole picture. This year Voldemort would try to trick him into going into the hall of prophecies in the Department of Mysteries. This he just couldn't allow to happen. If it happened that way again he would end up watching his godfather die all over again. Next, in working this plan, with the knowledge of his older self, he wasn't sure how he would react to seeing Sirius again. He knew that there was a plan to pick him up in a little over two months and take him to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black and that they would be forced to clean and he would find out about the Order of the Phoenix.
Confront Professor Dumbledore about the prophecy and address the potential of being manipulated from all sides. Make a stand. Harry knew that Dumbledore did many things with the motivation of everything being for the greater good. The problem was that the man had lived for such a long time that he may have lost perspective of what impact his machinations may have. He didn't know whether or not the old man knew the conditions for which he lived and he would have to feel him out while using Legilimency.
Fix Ginevra Molly Weasley. This was something that Harry had thought long and hard about and in further retrospect from his older self he felt that on some level that he had failed her during her first year by not checking to see if there had been any lasting effect as a direct result of her being possessed by Tom Riddle. The fact that more sooner than later he would be confronted with a newly possessed Ginny and he had to make sure that didn't occur. That would be another thing that he would have to ensure to make a change for the better. He also had to squash her crush. He realized that in her previous incarnation she had used Amortentia potion that she acquired this year on him to gain a relationship with him. This, too, would have to change.
Find out what is going on with Hermione and him and whether or not she is interested in pursuing a relationship with him. Judging by the letter that he had just read, he was rather certain that she was most definitely interested in pursuing something here. The only problem that he foresaw was the reaction of one Ronald Bilius Weasley to him pursuing a romantic relationship with the one whom he had claimed dibs on through subterfuge.
Acquire a copy of his parents will. Harry realized that this, too, would be rather difficult to accomplish. He knew this for the simple reason that he would be fifteen years only in a little over a month and still not old enough to take the proper precautions to ensure his emancipation. Should he be able to save Sirius, he still had the hope of living with him and getting to know him outside of his godfather's certain desperation when it came to him.
Meet with representatives of Gringotts and securely hire Gringott's curse breakers to assist with the acquisition of Tom Riddle's Horcruxes. Harry felt that if he took a more active approach here that he could better his position sooner than his older self had. He would use Bill Weasley, if at all possible and as long as he provided a wizard's oath of secrecy.
Find Wormtail and make him pay. This was something that he thought should be a high priority and looked at the extra stars that Harry had drawn on this scrap of parchment. Securing the capture of Peter Pettigrew would allow quite a few things, but at the same time, he would have to meet other objectives first. Capturing Peter before the Horcruxes could possibly force Tom into a protective defense. Should he feel the necessity to move them because he felt uneasy it could definitely skew the time-line enough to move things in his favor.
Train his body. Harry looked at himself now with a critical eye. He was too thin. He was malnourished and in the other time-stream it had nearly caused him to loose. With a few extra years of physical training, he would be quicker on the draw, have been reflexes and more stamina. He would have to be, both, decisive in what he hoped to attain and he would have to have support.
Hire Dobby and Winky to help him and ensure that he has a proper diet. This is something that he could start with now.
"Dobby!" Harry stated as matter of fact and with a soft pop a rather overly eager house-elf wearing multiple knitted hats and socks of many colors(Unfortunately this also included the first one that he acquired which at one time belonged to Harry).
"Master Harry Potter sir is needing Dobby?" He questioned with a look of hope in his eye.
"Yes Dobby. I was hoping that I could hire you away from Hogwarts, and Winky as well. I am in need of assistance and the first thought I had was you. Are you available?" He asked, already seeing the contemplative look in the little elf's eyes.
"Oh yes, sir, Master Harry Potter sir, however I would not be requiring payment! I would willingly bond with Harry Potter sir and be a proper House Elf."
"But Dobby, what about your freedom. It was an extremely difficult task to get you spirited away from Lucius Malfoy. Wouldn't you be trading away your life again into slavery?"
"Would Harry Potter sir be as cruel as former master?" Dobby asked with a apprehensive look in his eye.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Harry all but screamed at the frightened elf, and noticed the fear immediately disappear.
"The Dobby is agreeing to be bonded to Master Harry Potter sir, and Winky would just as eagerly agree. We are not agreeing to slavery, Harry Potter sir, but servitude to a great and noble wizard. Former Master was... A dark and evil Wizard and took Dobby by force from his family. Now, Dobby will have his family back!" Dobby said with a resolve and revelation that Harry hadn't known.
"Dobby?" Harry asked and once the little elf had looked up at him and he knew that he had Dobby's attention. "Did you serve the house of Potter before becoming the Malfoy's house elf?"
"No sir, Harry Potter sir, Dobby's was being too young, but Dobby's mummy and daddy were Potter elves and I was to be, as well."
"Well then, let me welcome you back to the family. Let me make one thing clear though, Dobby. There will be absolutely no punishing yourself. If you are uncertain of a course of action, please ask me, and if you could, please Dobby, call me Harry?" He finished and if he didn't see it with his own eyes he would not believe that the little elf's eyes could get any bigger. He began to openly weep and when Harry actually thought that perhaps he had gone just a little too far, he was once again bouncing up and squealing in absolute delight.
"And Master... um, Harry is wishing to hire Winky as well?" Dobby asked hopefully.
"Dobby, is there something that I should know about Winky and you?" Harry asked with a slight smile upon his face, and noticing the look of hesitance that came across Dobby's face before it melted into resolve.
"Winky is being Dobby's mate, Harry Potter, sir. I is hoping that is being okay?" He asked hopefully.
"Yes, Dobby that is most welcome." Harry said, but then quickly went into what was needed here and now. "Dobby, I must confess to you that my relatives do not take good care of me and as such, on of your top priorities will be to ensure that I am properly fed throughout the day. If you would take of my room for me as well, that would be most helpful. Also, I need the Potter properties to be taken care off as well, by you and Winky. Can you do this for me?" Harry asked meekly. He knew that the elf would do it before the question left his mouth but at the same point.
"Oh yes sir, Dobby is most agreeing to fatten up skinny Mas... Harry up nicely."
"Well, I don't want to get fat, Dobby, just healthy, and I cannot do that while trying to live on what my family provides. I do appreciate it." Harry finished honestly.
With another soft pop, Harry's newly reacquired house elf disappeared. Harry assumed that the elf had disappeared to get Winky and give her the good news. It was just after eight o'clock in the morning and Harry had, as usual cooked a full spread for the Dursleys only to be rewarded with a small crust of bread a left over egg yolk that had somewhat dried to the other three's plates. Upon his return to his room however Harry was taken aback by what he had found. There were three plates of Eggs with Bangers and Bacon. Another plate piled high with pancakes, whipped cream and strawberry marmalade. The third plate was fresh fruits consisting of oranges, bananas, strawberries, and pineapple.
Harry was amazed but at the same point ravenous. He tore into the food and within twenty minutes the plates were empty. He sat back with a very satisfied and full stomach and then with his firm conviction sat down and detailed an exercise regiment that he would follow.
Once he completed the schedule which only two a few minutes he began stretching and then running for half an hour without stopping. Once he was done, to ensure that his legs didn't cramp up, he slowed to a job for a few minutes and then walked the remainder back to Privet Drive. He decided that the best thing for him to do was to work out gradually. He would alternate his running to every other day for the next two weeks. On the odd days he would do sit-ups and push-ups and he would go to the part down the road and use the monkey bars for the purpose of chin-ups and inverted hanging sit ups.
After the two weeks were up he would combine the work out regime until he was completing the whole schedule daily. This would add muscle and stamina to his person and bring his body to where he wanted it to be. He would also look into free weights but that would have to wait until he was able to get to Gringotts and exchange some galleons for pounds.
Finally, accomplishing what it was that he decided was today's goal, he went back and re-read Hermione's letter. He quickly grabbed his quill and began another letter to Hermione in response to the one that she had sent him. He had to explain his actions now as well as use his best friend's ear, or in this case eyes to gain another perspective in what he had planned. Last, he had to lay the ground work that he felt was necessary to see whether she would be interested in him romantically. Even though reading her words she seemed to be, she would not expect him to immediately pick up on it and while he had he didn't want to inadvertently push her away with his eager acceptance of their mutual admiration.
Hedwig, ever the eager familiar, quickly flew from her cage, caught the letter in her beak in mid air and rushed out the window before Harry could even protest.
"I cannot believe that I just asked her to be my girlfriend. So much for dibs, Ron." Harry said with a smile on his face as he leaned back on his bed with his fingers interlaced behind his head.
/A/N: I hope that you enjoy what I'm writing. This story is going to kind of play out a lot slower than some of my others so I'm kind of laying some ground work. It's not going to be a sex fest but there will be some later in the story. It's part of life. I'd like to hear some thoughts on the direction and what you think of the story as it develops. What you'd like to see. If you're being critical, be specific. Read, Review and Enjoy./
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