Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Molly,
Ronald seems to be falling behind in several of his classes this year, I'm not sure what the cause is. He seems to be studying, however this is not improving his grades. At this rate he will fail the year. Please speak with him on this matter. If he is taking too many classes we can drop some in the upcoming term. Please let me know how you wish to proceed.
Minerva McGonagall.
*.*
December arrives and the castle is filled with cheer. Hermione has been sharing her WWW boxes with her friends intending to become more relaxed this wintery season. Unfortunately not everyone looks like they are enjoying the weather. A somber looking Professor McGonagal approaches one afternoon.
‘Ms Granger, please come with me to the Headmasters office.’
‘Yes professor, just give me a moment to gather my books.’
They walk in silence. When they reach the top of the stairs the door opens on its own.
‘Ms. Granger, please come in. Would you like a lemon drop?’
‘No thank you, Headmaster.’
‘I have some bad news for you my dear. Your parents have been attacked. We believe the Death Eaters were unhappy that they discovered their daughter was raised by muggles.’
Hermione mentally shakes her head. Physically she tenses up and trembles her lips.
‘Are they ok?’
‘Unfortunately they are both dead.’
‘No,' Hermione gasps, ‘that can't be true. You are lying.’ She is sobbing now.
‘I wish I were, Ms Granger. I'm sorry you have to learn about it this way. I can give you a few moments if you need? After that I need to go over some things with you.’
‘No, I will be alright. What else do we need to discuss?’
‘You need a guardian for the remainder of your schooling.’
‘Why? I’m 17.’
‘All students have a guardian that can be contacted in case of an emergency. Or for disciplinary purposes.’
‘Fine, contact my parents.’
‘That's not possible.’
‘My aunts? Narcissa or Andromeda?’
‘Narcissa is not possible either.’
‘She already has a child here. Why is it not possible?’
‘The order will not send you to live with Death Eaters.’
‘Hmm. Sirius then? He is my cousin.’
‘He is an escaped convict.’
‘Is he? Show me his conviction. Or any other document alluding to a trial.’
‘You don't understand the inner workings of the Wizengamot.’
‘And whose fault is that? Who had me raised as an ignorant muggle for 11 years?’
‘Regardless of who is at fault, we need to find you a guardian.’
‘Can I emancipate myself?’
‘Not possible in the wizarding world. The Weasleys have offered.’
‘What about Professor Lupin?
‘There are laws around werewolves that prevent him having custody.’
‘Do I even have a choice in this?’
‘Of course you do. That's why we are discussing this.’
‘Then I will choose my aunt, Narcissa Malfoy.’
‘You can't.’
‘You said I have a choice.’
‘Not one that will get you killed.’
‘It wont.’
‘You can't know that.’
‘Neither can you. Floo her. I'm sure she will happily take me on.’
‘Fine arrangements can be made but not early enough. Plan to spend winter holidays at Grimmauld place.’
‘If I am going to be living with Aunt Narcissa, shouldn't I visit over hols to get acquainted?’
‘There will be a screening process before guardian status is obtained.’
‘Fine. I will be at Grimmauld Place but you can't keep me there.’ Hermione stomps out of the room and down the spiral staircase.
*.*
Theo rounds a corner while reading a book. Out the window the snow is coming down furiously. At the end of the hall theo hears someone skipping and humming in rhythm. Theo continues to read as he ables down the hall.
As he approaches the end of the hall he hears the skipping stop. The person is facing the window, her humming has become singing off key and it is growing louder. Looking up from his book finally he sees Luna gazing down a glass hall.
Theo gasps, that was a window, wasn't it?
‘Luna?’
‘Hello Theo. Lovely to see you here.’
‘Where is here?’
‘Not sure yet, but I think it's time to explore. Are you coming?’
‘Of course,’ Theo takes her hand and they begin to walk down the beautiful hall. At the end of the hall there is an elegantly decorated sitting area.
‘This is astonishing.’
After looking around, they settled into a loveseat. For the rest of the afternoon they stayed in that room enjoying each other’s company.
*.*
Hermione is not happy after leaving Dumbledore’s office. Feeling slightly overwhelmed, Hermione walks to the kitchen to ask for afternoon tea. Winky is in the corner. Still drunk on butterbeer. Dobby shuffles a partition around to hide Winky.
‘Sorry Missy Mione, Winky is not wells.’
‘Does she still miss having a family?’
‘Yes, Missy Mione. She feels like a failure.’
‘Explain to me this bond with her family. Why does it affect her this badly? Is it just grief?’
‘Missy Mione. She is losing magic. She needs a family to be healthy. Without family to share magic house elveses cannot live. And a house without elveses attract too many other magical pests.’
‘Can an elf be tied to one individual person rather than an entire house?’
‘An elf bonds to one person. All others in the house are important but not first. Seconds? Still important but not top.’
‘I think I understand a little better now. Can anyone bond with an elf or do they need to be head of house?’
‘Adult? Of age? Not childrens.’
‘Thank you, Dobby.’
‘Can you bring Winky here?’
Dobby shuffles away and Hermione sips her tea patiently. Dobby drags Winky over to Hermione. Winky is loudly disagreeing with Dobby’s idea to see Missy Mione.
‘Winky, look at me.’ Winky looks up and closes her mouth. It had been so long since someone spoke to her with authority, she missed it. ‘Winky answer me. Do you want to bond with a family again?’
Winky drops her head to her chest in sadness. ‘Yes miss, but Winky does not deserve it.’
‘That wasn't the question. If you found someone in need of an elf would you bond with them?’
‘You know someone who needs Winky?’ Hope shines in her eyes as she looks up at Hermione.
‘I think I might, but it will be a very secret. Is that something you would be able to do?’
‘Miss, once Winky bonds to new family, no others will know about house business.’
Looking around, Hermione realizes all the other elves have left them alone except Dobby.
‘Dobby, where are the other elves?’
‘They leave you to discuss house business.’
‘But you are still here.’ Hermione says in confusion.
‘Dobby wonders if Missy Mione needs 2 elvses.’
‘I thought you liked being a free Dobby.’
‘Dobby does, but Dobby gets weak. Dobby needs a family again.’
‘I'm not sure if I have enough work for 2 elves, Dobby. But I may have an idea. Can you give me some time?’
‘Yes, Missy Mione, Dobby can wait, please don't forgets.’ Dobby disappears a second later.
‘Winky, how do I bond with you?’
‘Hold Winky's hand Miss. Repeat after me. I claim this house elf as my own. To serve my house alone. As I will so mote it be.’ When hermione begins to repeat the oath their hands begin to glow. As she finishes the warm glow washes over their entire bodies.
‘Miss, you are my mistress now. Thank you.’
‘I have many things I need help with but first how long until you are sober? Oh sit with me.’
Winky gasps and shakes her head.
‘None of that. We are family now right?’ Winky nods slowly. ‘So you will sit with me and have tea when it is safe to do so.’
‘Yes miss. Sober? Maybe a day or two.’
‘Alright can you continue working here without arousing suspicion? Or will you need to leave.’
‘Miss,I will work here. When you leave I will come with you.’
‘Can you do that without being seen?’
‘Yes miss. What about other elves? Where I am spending my holiday there will be another elf.’
‘Talk to elvses master. They cans order secrecy.’
‘Alright, after I talk with him I will call you. I will return in two days when you are sober. You may continue to drink in your spare time if you want but I would prefer you were sober when I call you.’
‘I promise not to drink too much any more Miss.’
‘Call me Lyra.’
‘Yes Missy Lyra.’
‘Can we talk by the lake for privacy?’
‘Yes, Missy Lyra.’
‘Good. Enjoy the rest of your day.’
‘Yes missy lyra. You toos.’
Hermione walks out of the kitchen with a smile on her lips.
*.*