Chapter 34
Harry had wandered off again.
Tom was considering the merits of various tracking spells or amulets, when Miggy popped up beside him. He blinked at her in surprise – he hadn’t even called her yet.
‘Miggy comes for Master,’ she said, choking on a sob. ‘Little Mister is by the kitchens. He is with Oddy. Oddy is-‘ Miggy broke off with another sob. She grabbed Tom’s hand before he could respond and transported him down near the kitchens.
Tom blinked as he looked around. Over a dozen elves were gathered, looking through a doorway at something.
‘Elfies lets the Master through.’ Miggy said, voice commanding but respectfully quiet. The elves shuffled around to give Tom a path into the room.
Harry was sitting on the edge of a little bed, holding the hand of an elf. A rather old, very frail looking elf. Harry was stroking its hand gently, and Tom moved quietly across the room to get a better look.
Harry’s eyes and scar were glowing, as he looked at the dying elf. His expression was… peaceful. Calm. His luminous green eyes were gazing into the elf’s bleary, dim ones. The elf had a hint of a smile on his face as he looked up at Harry.
‘Oddy is glad you is here, Little Shepherd. Oddy is ready.’
Harry gave him a gentle smile, then drew a sign over Oddy’s chest, and Oddy went limp, the dim light in his eyes fading entirely.
The elves in the doorway began to murmur and sway, a strange song flowing from their lips.
Tom watched on, lost and confused.
Harry stood from the bed, glowing brighter than before, and moved to stand before the elves. They reached their hands out to him, not quite touching, and their strange, mournful song rose. Harry closed his eyes, tilting his head back slightly, then raised his arms.
The elves sang louder, but their song turned toward joy, the sadness fading as something happened.
Tom couldn’t see it very well from where he was standing, but it looked like Harry’s magic was flowing out of his body and into the elves. Tom had a flash of fear, hoping the boy wasn’t going to be hurt, but then Harry’s arms lowered, and he opened his eyes.
The elves were looking at him with awestruck gratitude, as they began to shuffle away in a cluster, still singing their strange song.
When they had gone, and the room was empty, Harry walked straight out. Tom followed, but something stopped him from calling out. He followed Harry as he walked, confident and sure, up through the manor and to his room. He stopped in front of the washbasin in the bathroom and stretched on his toes to turn a tap on, then stripped off his shirt.
Tom heard someone enter the room behind him, but his eyes were fixed on Harry.
The small boy began to wash his hands, his face, his hands, his chest, his hands, his feet. When he was done, he closed his eyes, held his hands out, palms up, and a small smile lit his face.
Tom glanced back when whoever was behind him sucked in a sharp breath. It was Sirius, looking gobsmacked.
Sirius waited until Harry turned to face them, noting the fading glow in his eyes and scar. He knelt down, and Harry came closer obligingly. ‘Hi Harry,’ Sirius said, voice soft and careful. ‘Did you perform a Death rite?’
Harry nodded, smiling at first, then looking nervous as he caught Tom and Sirius’ expressions.
‘Who was it for?’ Sirius asked in that same careful, soft tone.
Harry gave a little shrug, eyes darting around.
‘A house elf. I think his name was Oddy.’ Tom interjected, equally quiet. His brow furrowed quizzically as Harry made his sign for magic, then pointed at several imaginary figures.
‘Were you sharing your magic with the elves?’
Harry shook his head. He paused, thinking, then looked at Tom, waving his finger in a circle. When Tom looked at him blankly, Harry stopped to think again. He lay his head on his hand and closed his eyes, then looked at Tom again.
‘You were sleeping and Lady Magic called you?’ Tom guessed.
Harry shook his head, frustrated. Then stopped, nodded, then shook his head again.
Before Tom or Sirius could begin to try deciphering Harry’s meaning, Lucius entered the room.
‘He’s here, my Lord.’