FicWad

Chapter 22:- Families and Retainers


A/N: Thanks Malehorntaildragon for your help.

**
Ron climbed out of the fireplace closely followed by Hermione. The pair were alone and they both knew that as soon as they told their story that all hell would be let lose. The pair looked at each other as if to draw strength before they let the storm brake.

"Where's Harry?" asked Mrs Weasley looking at the pair.

"He's...He left the Dursley's on his own." Replied Ron waiting for the response. All the way back he had been thinking of what they could do but he knew Harry better than most, but even he couldn't guess at where he was going.

"WHAT!"

"Yes Mrs Weasley. He left almost as soon as he had returned, according to his aunt. All that he left us was a note."

Ginny only briefly looked up as she heard the news. It didn't surprise her but she still felt a little uneasy at the knowledge of Harry being out there alone.

"What note? Why did he go?"

"He didn't say mum, look." Replied Ron passing the note to his mother.

He saw his mother read the note slowly before looking up.

"We have to find him!"

"We don't know where he's gone." Answered Ron.

"But we must. Where did he go last time he ran away?"

"The Leakey Cauldron mum but I don't think he ran away. I think..."

"Somebody must go there. Ron you go and see if he's booked in. As soon as your farther comes in I'll send him along. Don't leave the Cauldron just wait there."

"But mum I said I..."

"Go Ron now!"

Ron gave Hermione an exasperated look before turning back to fireplace. His mum wasn't thinking rationally but he knew he couldn't argue with her. Climbing back into the fireplace he gave Hermione a small smile before disappearing in a flash of green.

Mrs Weasley crossed immediately to the fireplace and started to make calls to people to get help in the search for Harry. Hermione looked over at Ginny; she was sitting alone on the sofa. Hermione had suspected that she would be as distraught as Mrs Weasley but she was just sitting there calm as the day. The calculating part of Hermione's mind instantly told her the Ginny knew something.

Hermione had to check the instinct to storming over to the girl and demanding what she knew. The pair had been friends for a long time, Hermione knew a lot about Ginny and vice versa but she had seen the changes in her friend over the past week. Something about Gabrielle had captured Ginny and started too change her but Hermione knew if she started to rant at Ginny she wouldn't say a thing. Crossing the room quickly she sat down next to Ginny.

"I'm a little surprised."

"Me too." replied Ginny turning and looking out of the window. She hadn't wanted to believe Gabrielle but inside she understood that it was the truth. Harry was on the run and there was nothing that could be done about it and soon she would loose Gabrielle as well.

"Not so much about Harry about you Ginny." Quietly ventured Hermione

"Me?"

"Yes you. I would have expected you to be more upset at Harry leaving."

Ginny turned too looked at Hermione she could see tears in her friend's eyes that refused to be release.

"I'm upset but I think I understand." Said Ginny.

"How long have you known?" guessed Hermione.

"A little while after he left."

Hermione could feel the rage within her. Ginny had known about this for hours yet she sat there and had done nothing about it. Still fighting to keep the anger down she continued.

"How did you know?"

"Oh...I...could see."

"See what."

"Nothing Hermione. Honestly I can't say, things have changed but I can't talk about it."

"Why not!" said Hermione with a touch of anger in her voice.

"It might hurt Harry!"

Hermione hadn't expected this answer but it was the worst for her. She knew that Ginny would protect Harry with everything that she had and if Ginny thought that keeping quiet would protect him there would be nothing she could do to get her to tell.

"We've got to find him and help him."

Ginny looked up at the ceiling before answering, Hermione was making some sense to her but there was nothing they could do yet.

"Yes we have to help him but we must wait."

"Wait? Don't you realise that he's out there alone and in danger."

Hermione instantly realised she had said the wrong thing as Ginny's head snapped round and Hermione could see a gleam of fire in her eyes.

"Yes I know! It's you who doesn't understand what he's going through."

Hermione buckled slightly at this comment.

"Going through! It wasn't him who had to read the brutal rape and death of themselves in the paper this morning."

Ginny took a long breath before answering, if she just continued like this with Hermione it soon would be a shouting match and that definitely would not help Harry.

"You are, as normal, right Hermione he didn't read about his death this morning, but Harry he had to experience everything those poor people went through not just read it! He had to watch it and be tortured by it; you had Ron to help you over shock of reading that. He's in pain but no-one is there to help him!"

"That's just it Ginny you let him go we could have helped him."

"Yes we could have but I don't think he would have given us the chance. You saw him he couldn't even look at you and Ron."

"Yes Ginny but now we have to find him first before we can help him."

Ginny smiled to herself as she stood up.

"Finding him will be the easy part." Replied Ginny, turning and leaving a clearly mystified Hermione on the sofa.

**

Harry thought he should have planned this flight a little better. The cold was seeping through his whole body and it was beginning to get difficult to hold onto everything. He had been flying for a couple of hours now going nowhere near the top speed of the broom as he wasn't sure of keeping the cloak around him if he did.

Every so often he would duck lower to make out the landmarks but was certain that he was going in the right direction. Yet at the pace he was going he didn't think he would get there before darkness came. Already he started to see the sun falling towards the horizon. The lonely flight was at least giving him time to think and none of it was of good thoughts. The images of both Ron and Hermione played over and over in his mind. At the end when he had seen the likeness of himself and of the woman all he wanted to do was say 'Yes', but he didn't. He had held on to something, something inside of him and kept him from ending it like that.

Suddenly he noticed that he was wandering off course, looking at the broom compass that Hermione had gotten him had stabbed at his insides once more. That woman who had the same name had suffered so much just so Voldemort could teach him a lesson. He felt a tear start in his eye and raised his hand to wipe it away. No he wasn't going to cry, he wasn't going to give Voldemort that victory, so on and on he flew but now he no longer noticed the cold.

The sun had almost disappeared its last rays of light were stretching across the sky and ground before Harry got his first glimpse of his destination. The huge castle was still some distance away but as he dove and picked up speed he felt relieved that his long flight was over. As he descended he felt the change, almost at once he felt safe secure almost like at home. The grass whipped his feet as he approached the lonely hut and slowed his broom.

He almost fell off the broom as he tried to get his legs to move. They were cold, stiff and refused to obey his instructions but he forced them to walk the last few paces. The smoke rising form the chimney and the deep booming bark alleviated his fears that the half-giant would not be there. Rubbing the blood back into his hand he reached up and knocked. Slowly cautiously it was opened and Harry looked up into the warm face of Hagrid.

"Harry what you doing here?" boomed the man.

"Hi Hagrid can I come in?"

"Of course." Beckoned Hagrid moving aside to let Harry in.

Harry let the warmth of the room seep into his cold limbs. As they started to warm up he began to notice how much pain he was in. The flight had been long but he hadn't expected this at the end. His legs and arms were not just stiff they seemed to radiate pain to the rest of him. Slowly he propped the broom beside the table and glanced over to Fang. The boarhound hadn't move when Harry entered which was unusual but he was watching Harry's every move.

"So Harry why yeh here and not with your friends?" asked Hagrid as he sat once more in his large comfy chair.

"I need a little help." Replied Harry not wanting to answer Hagrid's question just yet.

"Fine what can I do? Is it a problem with the Dursley's I can visit them again."

Harry smiled at the thought of Hagrid barging down the front door of the house, but what would the giant do if he found out about the shed?

"No I need someone else. I just need to get warm first."

Hagrid studied Harry, he looked different from the last time he saw him, when he had gotten on the train a few weeks ago.

"Where's Hermione and Ron?"

"Still at the Weasley's."

Hagrid had known Harry a long time, but the short answers he was being giving told him that something was wrong with Harry. He waited as Harry rotated in front of the fire to warm the rest of him before he spoke again.

"Something the matter Harry?"

"I'm fine Hagrid I just need to warm up."

"You fell out with the pair of them or something? Because they would never let you come here on your own."

"No Hagrid they are still my friends...I think."

"What's wrong what's happened Harry?" Asked Hagrid bending forward.

"Nothing I just need to be on my own for a while."

"That's nonsense and you know it, the three of you are ..."

"We were but now we have to be apart."

"Why?"

"I can't explain now Hagrid, please just help me?"

"I said I would."

"Don't tell anyone that I came here."

"Why what are you running from."

"Nothing Hagrid, I don't want more people to get hurt because of me."

Hagrid could see the determined look on Harry whatever was bothering him had scared him. He just wished Harry would tell him so he could sort it out.

"Ok what do you want?"

"Could you call Dobby for me? He's a House Elf that works here. I need to talk to him."

"Ok." Replied a mystified Hagrid. He got to his feet shaking his head and walked to the door. After pulling it open he bellowed into the night Dobby's name. Harry had hoped for a more delicate way but this was Hagrid to a tee.

Mere seconds after the shout a small pop announced the arrival of Dobby. Harry had moved back into the shadows to hopefully not be seen straight away but the keen eyed elf spotted him instantly.

"Oh the Great Harry Potter is here. Dobby is so pleased to see you again. Dobby must attend Master Hagrid first but I will get whatever you wants afterwards."

Harry smiled at the elf. His antics were funny but his heart was in the right place.

"Thank you Dobby it was me who actually wanted you I just got Hagrid to call you."

"Master Harry want's me. Oh whatever can I do for the great Harry Potter please just ask of me?" gushed Dobby bouncing in his feet.

Harry glanced up and Hagrid, it was his home but he really wanted to talk to the elf alone.

"Um Hagrid?"

"Ah...um...I see...Well I need's to check the pumpkins anyway so I'll leave you alone for a moment." Said Hagrid seeing the look on Harry face and leaving the pair on there own.

Harry looked round and saw the wooden chairs. He crossed and sat down on one and indicated the other but Dobby just stood there bouncing with eager anticipation.

"Please sit down Dobby."

"You...you offer Dobby a chair. Oh what great and noble wizard you are, but Dobby can't it isn't proper."

"Please just for a moment."

Dobby looked unblinkingly before taking a couple of unsteady steps towards the chair. He climbed on it and sat down as thought it was made of fire. Harry was certain the Dobby would leap to his feet as soon as he could.

"I...I would like to employ you."

"The great Harry Potter what's to employ Dobby? Oh what joy, the greatest wizard want's to employ Dobby!" Exploded Dobby as he leapt to his feet and started to dance.

"You accept?"

"Oh but only if Dobby could. Alas Dobby can not for Dobby is already employed at Hogwarts."

"Can't you change jobs?"

"Oh no we House Elves are pledged to the house no matter what, only the master of the house can release us." Said a suddenly still Dobby.

Harry didn't know what to say. He had been hopping that the elf could help him now it looked differently.

"Um...master Harry you could...um...ask Professor Dumbledore sir." Quietly said Dobby. Harry saw the look on Dobby face and reached out a hand to stop him. It was obvious that Dobby had violated some order or code as it looked like he was trying to find something heavy to hit himself with.

"You think he will release you?"

"Of course! He said that he would if Dobby asked but Dobby can not. If you asked Dobby is sure he would say yes."

"Alright but before I do I want you to understand something. A bad man is after me."

"Dobby knows sir, Dobby doesn't care Dobby just want to serve The Great Harry Potter sir."

"No Dobby you have to understand he will do anything to hurt me or my friends."

"Dobby doesn't care. Dobby wants to help Harry Potter stop the bad man and to serve his house."

"You will have to do anything that I say?"

"Of course Dobby will follow your orders Master."

"You will be paid as well."

"Dobby doesn't want paying. Dobby just wants to serve you, Harry Potter sir."

"No Dobby you will take money and Holiday otherwise I don't want you."

Harry could see the conflict on Dobby face but eventually the elf spoke up.

"Very's well master, Dobby will take money and...and Holiday."

"Good we had better see the Professor then."

**

Harry and the small elf walked the long path together towards the Castle. The nearer he got to the castle the more he realised how empty it felt with no students present. He felt a little surprised that the doors were unlocked when he reached and passed through them. As he walked the corridors he noticed more and more of the paintings were looking at him. Soon the whole of the castle would know that he was here.

As he crossed the main entrance he looked at the emptiness around him. It truly was a different place in the summer. He continued at a slow place as he traced the familiar route to the Headmasters Office. He was certain that by now all of the painting in Hogwarts knew that he was here. As he turned the last corner he saw the Gargoyles begin to rotate. He paused at the bottom of the stairs to compose his thoughts before he ascended into Dumbledore's Office.

The door to the office was already open for him and so he slowly walked in. The office hadn't changed much since his last visit except that Dumbledore had cleaned up. The thought of all the damage he had caused in this room suddenly made Harry feel very uncomfortable. At the time he thought he was right, how dare Dumbledore hold so much back and control him for so long but now he reflected that it might not have been the best thing for him to do.

As he walked towards the desk he could see many of the painting watching him. Most were whispering but he couldn't make out what they were saying. Dumbledore on the other hand was sitting motionless and looking directly at him. Harry felt a moment of nervousness looking at the man. Only a few hours ago he had been told to stay at the Weasleys by him but here he was walking straight into his office.

He came to a halt in front of the desk but didn't know what to do now. He found his mouth was almost glued shut and the silence from the headmaster was eerie. Dumbledore continued to look him over before he indicated to one of the chairs. Harry took the offered seat and waited, it was obvious that Dumbledore was going to say something and Harry just felt that it was right to let him go first. Harry noticed that when he sat that Dobby stood a small but respectful distance to his side and rear as though waiting for instructions. It was though he was already playing the part of his "servant" before it became official.

"Well Harry I would have to say that I didn't expect to see you so soon after this morning but I'm very glad that I did."

"You are?"

"Yes I've just had a very distressing floo call from Mrs Weasley. They are beside themselves with worry over you. In fact I had to stop them sending out everybody to search for you."

"Oh I'm sorry to cause the trouble."

"It's not me your going to have to say that to it's the Weasley's, well most of them."

Harry couldn't stop himself asking the question.

"Most of them?"

"Yes it seems that Young Ginerva and Miss Delacour were not as worried as some might think."

"Oh." Responded Harry, he had suspected that Gabrielle knew what he was doing. He had felt the tug on his emotions as he had left.

"You don't seem so surprised at this? Those two are interesting I think. I shall have to watch them more closely when we are all back at school."

Harry felt a small flash of anger or something else. It seemed to him that Dumbledore was picking on the only two people who where going out there way to really help him.

"You don't have to do that sir they're..."

"I see now. I'm not surprised at all I just ..." Quickly responded Dumbledore but faded out as he realised what he was about to say.

Harry could see a look in the headmaster's eye that seemed to twinkle with knowledge.

"You have a lot to learn Harry and unfortunately there is little time."

Harry made to speak but was held short by the upraised hand.

"As I said you have a lot to learn and not all of it is officially taught by this school. Some of it you will learn from me some from..." Dumbledore had difficultly in says the words. He had read the books and knew what was to become of Harry but he couldn't say it to him, not just yet anyway he was still a teenager and wouldn't understand. "...others."

"Others?"

Before any answer came Fawkes let out a tired sounding note. Harry hadn't spotted the bird when he had walked into the room but it was sitting plain as day on its perch looking directly at him.

Dumbledore shook his head slightly at the noise before saying

"Sorry about that, Fawkes has her own opinion on things."

"She knows?" asked a startled Harry. He had previously thought that the bird was very much like Hedwig, very intelligent and having many mystical powers but that was all. Whatever that Dumbledore was referring to about Fawkes it seemed as though Harry's impressions of the bird were wrong.

"As I said you have much to learn. But first I must ask why didn't follow my advice this morning?"

Harry had expected this question. During his flight he had thought up many a different excuse for his actions but his mind always came back to the truth. He had to tell the truth no matter how bad it sounded, if he didn't what would that make him.

"I couldn't stay. Not after that night, when I woke up all I could see was Ron's mangled body, the homely smells turned my stomach. I couldn't even bear to look at Hermione. They're my friends but they didn't choose that fate. If I stayed there he would come I know it, he told me so."

"Harry I think you are wrong..."

It was Harry's turn to stop the headmaster. He knew that he was going to tell him allsorts of things about his friends but Harry didn't want to change his mind, Dumbledore hadn't been there he hadn't had to watch his "Friends" deaths.

"No sir. You said that I'm an adult and I can make my own decisions so just let me. This is my decision right or wrong I'm not going endanger them. If that means I...I...I can't see them until it's all over so be it but at least at the end they will be safe."

Dumbledore looked closely at Harry. He was a boy trying to be a man and it was hurting him. The panicked call from Molly had initially caused him great concern. He had known that Harry would be fragile but he had suspected the Weasleys should have been able to help him through it all. Obviously Harry hadn't let them.

"Very well then, so why have you come to see me? I take it is about Dobby?"

Harry heard the shuffling of feet as Dobby moved behind him so that he was hidden from Dumbledore's view. He was surprised at the sudden change in Dumbledore he had expected a longer argument it looked like Dumbledore was indeed letting Harry make is own choices.

"I'll...I'll like to employ Dobby for myself." He blurted out.

Dumbledore's lips broke into a trace of a smile. At once he knew Harry's plan, it fitted all of the pieces perfectly and all he had to do was manipulate it slightly for it to be perfect. He would still be able to give Harry what he needed but with a little planning Dumbledore knew he could turn this to his advantage.

"Very interesting may I ask why?"

"I ...I need a hand where I'm going."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Yes sir."

"I take it you going to be staying at Grimmuald Place."

"How...how..."

"Simple I put the pieces together. Very well you can stay there if you so choose to. In fact I can't stop you but I will tell you that you really need to talk to your friends about what happened they were affected by it and like you need to come to terms with it. You just running away can only damage that what you are trying to protect."

"I'm not running." Defended Harry.

"You may not see it as so but they will not. Very well let's get to the matter of Dobby then. How much wizarding law do you know?"

Harry hung his head, more and more he was beginning to realise that he knew little about the wizarding law and soon that would trip him, perhaps fatally.

"I see unfortunately that you, unlike some that I know, have yet to sit down and learn some of what normal wizards learn from birth. I'm not going to lecture you now but I strongly suggest that you learn and learn fast. To be brief according to the law no person under the age of 17 may own any magical creature. The only exception's to this law is that people aged 11 or more may own a class one creature as defined by the Ministry. These creatures are Owl's, toads, rat's etc. They are according to the Ministry not fully sentient magical beings."

A sharp cry came from Fawkes at this statement.

"I know Fawkes I'm just relating the law. I'm not passing judgment or comment." Said Dumbledore in a slightly sharp tone.

"Fawkes doesn't agree sir?"

"No she doesn't agree with me on many things." Replied Dumbledore looking very closely at the bird.

"As I said you can't own a magical creature."

"Is that it?"

Harry felt a gentle tug on his arm and looked round quickly. Dobby was standing behind him with his huge eyes looking directly at him. Harry could almost see the tears in them but the House elf was gently shaking his head.

"As Dobby would soon tell you, you have an unfortunate advantage."

"Unfortunate advantage?"

"With the death of Sirius and the subsequent ending of the House of Black I had your legal position slightly changed. You are now the Head of the House of Potter, this normally would have become official when you turned 17."

"That was the letter that you gave Mr Brown?"

"Yes that's right. That letter officially made you the Head of House, it is unusual but not unheard of. So you are entitled to all laws and privileges that go with being Head of House. As I said it's rare that one so young becomes the head but not unheard of. There are old law's that allow the Head of House to own and control all of the assets of the House. This means that you can legally control your funds and any other assets of the House. This would include the purchase and reselling of its assets, which would include any magical creatures that the House owns or wishes to own."

Harry felt a second tug and looked back. Dobby was still standing there but this time his head was bobbing up and down fast.

"So you are now saying that I can own Dobby?"

"Yes that right. There are a number of responsibilities and privileges that go with the position but you can "own" Dobby."

"What are these responsibilities and privileges sir?"

"Unfortunately it would take me days to explain them to you and further weeks about how it all affects current wizarding law and we, I, don't have that time."

Another chirp came from Fawkes at this. Harry was now certain that the two were holding something back between themselves and his opinion of Fawkes was changing even more.

"As I said there are many privileges. I'm sure that Dobby can help but I ..." He knew what he was about to say and what it would mean. Could he condemn another to their fate? But perhaps it had already happened? "...I'm sure others would help you when necessary. I will tell you though you are allowed your own personal staff at Hogwarts when you return in September. The only thing that I ask is if you wish to bring Dobby or any others I would like it if you kept it quiet and that they stay out of sight wherever possible. I would also caution you that YOU should be the one doing homework or other such activates and not one of your staff."

"I don't understand sir?"

Dumbledore smiled and leaned back in his chair. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was past ten but not too far. With the sudden unexpected appearance of Harry he wanted to take the opportunity to run the errand with him. That errand would be best done later closer to midnight so he did indeed have a little time.

"Very well Harry we have a little time tonight, would you like tea?"

Harry shook his head. All this talk about personal staff and law was confusing all he wanted was Dobby. The sudden thought of tea quick turned his stomach all he could suddenly think about was the smell of roasting flesh and dripping blood. How could he eat and drink with those thoughts in his mind.

"Very well them but if you don't mind." Dumbledore waved his wand and a small sliver tea service appeared on the desk complete with biscuits and what Harry as sure was a plate of Jelly Beans. Dumbledore pored himself a cup and took a couple of sips before starting.

"This school as you know has been founded for many a year. The first documented evidence that this building was in use as a school comes from around 1000 years ago. That is all ancient history but consequently a number of law's have been past concerning students and this place. For the most part they are not in use but some of the old laws still remain to this day. Some of these will now affect you if you so choose."

Harry looked at his Headmaster. This history lesson sounded much better than Professor Bins but it was still history to him and therefore boring.

"This school was operating in times when England and the rest of Europe were ruled by mighty Houses. Most of these Houses, in some form, still exist and it is from these that the pure blood trait was first thought up. It was unheard of for someone of a great House to marry outside of the other great Houses in Europe."

"Very much like the muggle royal family?"

"A little, yes, but more extreme. So these houses thought they were above all others. Due to their status and wealth they controlled the populace and were the only ones that were able to create and pass new laws. The head's of individual Houses obviously wanted their children to go to the best school available and that was Hogwarts. But there was a small problem for these Houses, right from the start Hogwarts would accept any magical student no matter if they were pure blood or not, from a great House or the lowest farmer. Theses Houses accepted this problem but refused to send their children to a school without the full retinue of servants that they were used to back in there own mansions. So these students would turn up with butlers, maids, grooms, personal tutors and even bodyguards. The Houses obviously passed laws which allowed their children these's servants at school."

Dumbledore paused for a few moments it had been a very long time since he had to think about this but on reflection Harry had better know now as it might just give him some protection.

"You can now imagine Hogwarts how it was with a number of Lord's and Ladies running around with their own personal staff at their call. There was little the school could do but it did manage to curtail some of the problems eventually. The catalyst came in the 1450's two families had sent their sons to Hogwarts with their full complement of staff. The sons' immediately hated each other as much as their father's did. It was not long therefore before it came to a head. One night the son's started to fight each other. The battle lasted almost two days. It was then other people realised the number of retainers that were being brought to school far exceeded the school populace. As the battle raged teachers tried to bring a stop to it but were unfortunately unable too. The most that they could do was barricade the dormitories and protect the students of less well off families."

"Didn't everybody sleep in the dormitories then?"

"No not at that point. The privileged sons and daughters had their own range of apartments. They were small yes but they were their own. So as the battle raged more and more people were drawn into it until most of the noble families present at Hogwarts were involved. As I said the teachers had barricaded the dormitories to try and protect the others. Eventually as night fell on the second day the two sons faced each other. It was said by some that they duelled like two demon's for hours but other reports said it was a short as neither had any experience but the result was deadly. As the smoke finally cleared the two boys were found face up, dead, killed by one another. Shock instantly transmitted itself throughout the country but that was nothing compared to what happened when the final tally was known a week later. Many of the privileged children had been killed some even as young as 11 had been murdered in their beds not able to defend themselves. Recriminations went on for decades but laws were quickly passed that forbade students taking their own staff, other than those that were there for the child's personal needs."

Dumbledore waited for a moment, he had tried to tell the story leaving out some of the worst details but he could still imagine what the school must have looked like. The Bloody Barron was a monument to that day but to Dumbledore's knowledge even he never spoke of it to anyone.

"These laws are still in place, they have been slowly modified over time to allow only the Head of House that privilege but they are still there. You have the right to bring servants to tend to you but all I ask is that the others do not know about it; it would cause jealousy and resentment and in these times that is not what is needed."

Harry knew that he had just stepped into a far bigger world than he first thought of. Now he was not only able to own creatures but he could have servants here at Hogwarts? What a strange world he was learning about.

"Are there any other students in similar position?"

"Yes in fact a Seventh year Slytherin has recently finished who is the Head of his own House. This person invoked the law and brought his own house elf."

"I never knew."

"That's the idea these days."

"Will I have to stay in my own apartment?"

"Oh no; most of the apartments are now gone. You would be expected to sleep in the normal House dormitories the only concession is that you could demand a private room."

Harry thought about a private room. There he would be away from his friends but at least it would keep them safe. He decided to think this over more before he asked for this privilege he also vowed to learn what else he was now entitled to.

"So all we have to do now Harry is agree a price."

"A price?"

"Yes for Dobby."

"Oh...ah..." stammered Harry. How much was a person worth?

Dumbledore smiled, he was surprised that it had taken this long for it to happen. As soon as Dobby found out about Harry being made Head of House early Dumbledore had expected this visit or something similar. In preparation he had already created the magical contract and it was sitting in his desk.

"I will willing sell Dobby to you if you accompany me tonight. That's my price."

Harry blinked once at this but his mind didn't immediately answer, he thought about it eventually asking.

"To do what?"

Dumbledore smiled again at the question, Harry was indeed thinking more clearly now.

"I need your help in recruiting a teacher. I am once more one short on the staff and I'm afraid I haven't been as persuasive as normal in getting a replacement. That is why I need you; you should be able to persuade this person much better."

"Why me?"

"He likes the famous and powerful and you are nothing if not both Harry."

"Ok then." replied Harry. He could hear Dobby jumping up and down behind him.

Dumbledore open the draw to his desk and withdrew a large document.

"So Harry this is a magical contract and binding in all terms."

"Like the tri-wizard tournament?"

"Yes. Once signed by all parties I will have officially sold Dobby to you and he's yours to do with how you please. You are fully responsible for his actions and welfare do you understand all of that."

"Yes sir."

Dumbledore picked up his quill and made his elaborate strokes on the parchment and handed it to Harry.

He briefly looked over the long document but it was far too complex for him to understand. Picking the quill up he signed his name beside purchaser below Dumbledore's signature on the line that read. Owner or Magical Being if classed as Free.

The instant that the signature was finished the document vanished.

"That's it done, a copy will be lodged with the Ministry and a copy will be sent to me and the original will be sent to your lodgement house, which I believe is currently the old Black Vault."

"Lodgement House?"

"Yes the location were legal documents are sent. It could be your solicitors or personal secretary it just the person or location that looks after your legal affairs."

Harry was getting slightly more and more worried with all of this he was just a young man and none of this was making much sense.

"So I now own Dobby?"

"Yes let me show you. Dobby could you please get me a glass of pumpkin juice."

Dobby just stood there and looked directly at Harry with an expectant expression on his face.

"See he no longer has to follow my orders he's waiting for you."

Harry nodded once at Dobby and saw the House Elf instantly disappear. It was a few moments before he returned with the glass which he delicately placed on the desk in front of the Headmaster.

"Sorry master it took so long, but I had to explain everything to the elves here." Commented Dobby to Harry bowing low and retreating back to his place.

"Thank you Dobby it's excellent as normal." Said Dumbledore taking a polite sip of the drink.

"I expect that you have lots more questions so please ask."

He indeed did have number but realised that he could be here all night if he asked them all so he started with the simplest.

"How many families are there?"

"Currently there are 40 families which each have a permanent seat on the Wizgamort. From these families 5 are elected to be part of the ruling council. You see they don't quiet have a controlling influence anymore but they are still a large part of this country."

"I thought that the Ministry ran the country."

"They do, but most of the Ministry permanent appointments are over seen by the ruling council and all laws must be passed by the Wizgamaort. With only 110 seats in the full Wizgamort and most people not knowing how, or not bothering, too attend the Houses can still influence what happens."

"This is all very complex sir."

"Yes but unfortunately it is what you are now."

"Can't I give it up?"

"You can try but most people will ignore it and still treat you like one of the old families. You will probably soon start to receive invitations and requests as soon as your status is known by the others."

"Invitations?"

"Yes there are a number of formal functions or just evening receptions that people will hope that you will attend whether you do is up to you. Your patronage is important to people."

"But I'm a teenager sir."

"Yes you are, and I do believe we are both fully aware of your age aren't we Harry? Whether you like it or not Harry, you are, and you will be a very important and influential person. People will try to use that for their own purposes, and I believe its time that you fully step into your roll in our world."

Dumbledore glanced at the clock and saw that the time for the evening had indeed run out which was good as the conversation was moving towards and area he did not want Harry thinking about just yet.

"So then Harry it's time we departed. After it's done I'll take you directly to Grimmauld Place. I assume that you want Dobby to meat us there?"

"Yes sir."

Dobby nodded once at Harry and picking up Harry's broom he disappeared with a small pop.

***

Remus looked at the woods before him. As the stars shone down their light did little to illuminate its dark depths. He had travelled all day to reach this far but now as he stood there he found that he was afraid. He would never tell people this but as he was looking into the dark wood he was scared. Scared not for himself, a long time ago he had accepted his life and what it was going to be. The day that it ended he felt sure it would be the happiest of his life.

Ever since loosing his friends 16 years ago and more recently Sirius he had been alone. Shunned by society and chased out of most places. He would be glad when it all came to an end. He knew that it was a coward's way out looking forward to death but he had enough of the fight. It had been long, it had been hard but he was never going to win it. Just standing there he just wished that when it was over his friends would remember him.

He continued to look at the woods and thought of those still living. Leaving Harry had been harder than he had ever expected. Somewhere deep inside he had looked at the boy as his own, but he had walked away when he was needed the most. Whatever Harry had suffered was going to affect him and he wasn't going to be there to help. This mission, this task was important but he should be there with Harry not here in this dark forest in the middle of England.

The only other person that his mind brought up was Tonks. She was young and vivacious and he was certain that she had been flirting with him. His manly pride had swelled at such a woman taking an interest in him but he could never let it get any further. His condition prevented that, he had loved woman in the past but the monthly change was just too dangerous, how could he ever live with himself if anything happened.

He made to take a pace into the woods but found that he could not. The fear was still with him. Within this place was his own kind those that knew him and what he was. He was supposed to talk to them, help them, persuade them, but really it was going to be the other way round. Could he face going back to the world after he had lived with these people? He would have to experience life as they did, but could he ever come back.

Looking up at his nemesis he called out to his friends to give him the strength one more time.

"James, Sirius, Lilly, forgive me if I fall."

Sharply looking away he took he first steps into the wood and the life that he should have had.

***