Stormseeker: Borrowed Destiny

Chapter 12: Elven Summer

---

Arrangements for the summer must be made. I don't have any home that I can go to, and it wouldn't do to be hidden away at Hogwarts again. The unique circumstances I had with Dumbledore familiarizing me with this world don't apply this year. So we'll need to decide upon someplace for me to stay.

As it turns out, it's not much of a matter for discussion or debate. As soon as the Weasleys find out that I'm not intending on returning to the States for the holidays, they insist that I must spend the summer with them.

And exam results come out. I did about as well as I expected to. Not the top of my class or anything, but decent enough not to be completely embarrassing.

Then, our trunks are packed, and we all pile aboard the Hogwarts Express to be taken back to London. It's a relaxing, quiet ride without incident, and I can definitely appreciate that.

We get off the train at King's Cross Station, and I spot Mrs. Weasley's brightly smiling face in the crowd on the platform. I head over to greet her along with Ron.

"There you are!" Molly Weasley says. "You've both grown so much over the year!"

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley," I say. "Thank you for inviting me to stay with your family for the summer holidays."

"Oh, it's the least I can do!" Molly says. "Have you seen the twins and Percy? Ah! There they are!"

We collect our five trunks, and make our way out of the station. The Weasleys' father, Arthur, is waiting for us by their vehicle, along with the little sister, Ginny. I peer at the strange contraption a bit. I've never seen anything quite like this before. It's made of metal, painted blue, and has four wheels made of some unidentifiable black substance.

"What in the world is this strange metal carriage?" I wonder aloud.

Arthur laughs softly. "Never seen a Muggle automobile before?" he says. "Marvelous creations! This one's got some enchantments on it, though. Don't worry, there'll be plenty of room for everyone inside."

"Automobile," I repeat dumbly.

We pile our school trunks in the compartment called the 'boot' for some reason, and we all climb inside. Sure enough, the seats magically extend to make room for us all. Arthur drives us away.

"How does it move?" I wonder. "There's nothing pulling it. Is it spelled to move by magic?"

"Nope!" Arthur replies. "Well, it's charmed to not require any fuel, but the movement itself is done by the motor inside."

"Wow, really?" I say incredulously. "Muggles can do that?"

"Pretty neat, isn't it?" Arthur says.

We travel out to the village of Ottery St. Catchpole, and to the home of the Weasleys, a place called the Burrow. It's a ramshackle building, looking to have been thrown together with spit and magic, that otherwise seems in danger of collapsing at any moment. This is where the Weasleys live? Oh, man, I hope this place looks better on the inside than it does on the outside. I shouldn't judge, I suppose. Not everyone can live in a manor, after all, and they did graciously invite me to stay here.

We head inside. Yeah, the place isn't really any better on the inside. It's small and cramped, although clean. Ron shows me up to his room, which I'll be sharing with him. It bothered me at first, to have to share a room with someone else, but after spending the last year in a dorm, I'm used to having Ron sleeping nearby. Everything in here is a garish shade of orange, and there's a number of posters of one particular Quidditch team.

"It's a bit on the small side," Ron says sheepishly. "And there's a ghoul in the attic right overhead. He likes to bang on the pipes and groan a lot."

I'm already kind of dreading having agreed to stay here for the summer, and considering spending next year with the Longbottoms or something. But I keep my thoughts to myself and smile graciously at Ron. "It's not a problem," I say. "I'm grateful to you guys for inviting me."

I try to think positively. At least, even if the house itself leaves something to be desired, I'll be around good people. I'd much rather be here than at Malfoy Manor, that's for sure.

---

Ottery St. Catchpole is a Muggle village, but some other wizarding families live in the vicinity as well. One of them runs the store where the Weasleys get most of their groceries, which is convenient since they'll happily take both wizard and Muggle money. I'm eager to get out and see some new things now that I'm not cooped up at Hogwarts, so I head down to the village with Percy for shopping. While there, he tries to give me an explanation as to how Muggle money works.

"Why do I need to know about Muggle money?" I wonder.

"It's important to learn the ways of the world," Percy lectures. "You never know when you have know how to get by in the Muggle world."

"I'll take your world on that," I say. "But why do they use paper for money? What's stopping me from just transfiguring or duplicating some of these paper notes and buying whatever I want?"

"That would be highly dishonest," Percy replies. "And besides, they have complex images on them that would be difficult to replicate perfectly."

"If you say so," I say. I think I'm more comfortable just using wizard money when I can. I don't need to start trying to memorize even more money systems too!

But I like buying things. I never had much chance to go shopping, back at home. It's fun to pile up things to get, and count out the appropriate amount of coins.

"What's this?" Mrs. Weasley says, looking over the heap of groceries that I've brought in.

"Groceries," I reply. "Don't worry, I made sure to get plenty of fruits and vegetables too!"

"Did you pay for this yourself?" Mrs. Weasley asks.

"Huh?" I say, "Oh, yeah."

"That's nice of you, Harry, but the Weasleys don't need any charity," Mrs. Weasley says.

I look at her in puzzlement. "Charity?" I wonder. "What are you talking about?"

"Well, we don't need to take handouts from anyone," she goes on. "We go alright on our own."

"Handouts?" I say. "But you're letting me stay here over the summer. What's wrong with buying food that I'll be eating anyway?"

"You're our guest, Harry," Mrs. Weasley says. "We didn't ask you to pay rent or anything."

"Huh?" I say. "I'm a guest? I thought, well, we're practically family, right? What's mine is yours, what's yours is mine? I don't see what the big deal is..."

"Oh, Harry," Mrs. Weasley says, hugging me suddenly.

I have no idea what that was all about, but she doesn't complain about me buying copious amounts of groceries again.

---

The Weasleys throw a birthday party for me on July 31st. Neville even manages to get permission from his grandmother to come over. Neville's own birthday was the previous day, but that was a much smaller affair, with just me and Ron there in addition to his grandmother. For my birthday, Mrs. Weasley baked a big cake and everything, and there's a small pile of presents. Grinning broadly, I start to open them under the eager eyes of my friends.

Mrs. Weasley knitted me a lovely green sweater. "A Weasley sweater!" Ron exclaims. "Usually we get them as Christmas presents. I guess it's to make up for the lack of one last Christmas?"

"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley," I say, smiling warmly at her and slipping it on, despite it being the middle of summer.

From Ron, I've received a box of Chocolate Frogs. Percy got me a homework planner. Neville gives me a book on defensive charms. Mr. Weasley's present is a weird little Muggle contraption that I can't identify, and I doubt that Mr. Weasley entirely knows what it's for, either. From the twins... a tiny miniature toilet.

"Fred! George! You didn't!" Mrs. Weasley exclaims.

"No, Mum, it's real handy!" George insists.

"Check this out!" Fred adds. He puts the toilet on the floor and taps the top of it with his wand, and the toilet expands into full size. It even surrounds itself with privacy curtains decorated in Gryffindor red and gold. Another tap, and it shrinks back down to the size of a thumbnail again.

"We call it a Pocket Privy," George says.

"Never have to go in the bushes!" Fred says.

"Wow, that's neat," I say, pocketing the little toilet.

Mrs. Weasley just sighs longsufferingly. I go to look through the rest of my presents, from people who aren't here today. Hagrid sent me a bunch of those rock cakes he thinks I love. From Dumbledore, a bag full of sherbet lemons. And finally, from Snape, a book on potion-making theory, along with a note that reads, "Try to do better in my class next year. P.S. Dumbledore's sherbet lemons contain a mild Calming Draught." I have to snicker softly at that. Maybe I'll save them for when I need to cool my nerves a little.

After the party, I head upstairs to put my bounty away in Ron's room. And there, sitting on my bed, is an ugly little person with long ears, like the ones at Hogwarts. A house-elf, Dumbledore told me once. Not any sort of elf I'm familiar with, but Dumbledore said that they love to cook and clean and serve their wizard masters in general. It sounded a lot like slavery to me, but I opted to hold my tongue and not to judge, as the ones at Hogwarts seemed pretty happy.

This house-elf looks to be wearing an old pillowcase, and he gives me a deep bow when he sees me. "Harry Potter!" he exclaims. "Such an honor for Dobby to meet you!"

"Well," I say. "Hello, Dobby. What are you doing here? I didn't think the Weasleys had a house-elf."

"Oh, no," Dobby says. "Dobby not belong to Wheezeys. Dobby has something to tell you."

"Well, alright, then," I say. "Though if someone wanted to give me a message, they could have just owled me, rather than sending their house-elf to do it..."

"No, no," Dobby says. "Not from Dobby's family, sir." He starts to bang his head against the wall, and my eyes widen in alarm.

"What are you doing, Dobby?" I say. "Stop that!"

"Dobby must punish himself!" Dobby says. "Dobby almost spoke ill of his family!"

I snort softly. "So don't do that, then," I say. "Who is your family, by the way?"

"Dobby mustn't say. Dobby will have to punish himself for coming to see you, too. Dobby is always having to punish himself. Sometimes they tell Dobby to give himself extra punishments, too."

Blood boils up in my veins at this sort of treatment, and I clench my fists. "Dobby, why did you come to see me if you're going to have to punish yourself for doing it?"

"Dobby hears all about Harry Potter," Dobby says. "You is great wizard!"

"I don't think I've exactly done anything particularly great," I comment dryly. I didn't even manage to stop Quirrell myself, after all.

"Harry Potter is humble and modest!" Dobby exclaims. "But Dobby comes to warn great Harry Potter. Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts! He will be in mortal danger if he goes!"

I sigh. "I think I can handle a little mortal danger, Dobby," I say. "Don't worry about me."

"Harry Potter is so brave!" Dobby says. "But Harry Potter must stay here at the Burrow, where it's safe!"

Ron comes up the stairs and into the room just then, and stops in the doorway to stare at the house-elf in the center of the room. "Blimey, what's a house-elf doing here?"

"Trying to tell me not to go back to Hogwarts, for some reason," I say, sighing. "Ron, do you happen to know a way to find out who a house-elf belongs to? Dobby won't say."

Ron shakes his head. "No, but I'll ask Mum. She might have a thought." I wave him off, and Ron goes back downstairs, leaving me alone with the house-elf. Who is punishing himself against the floor now.

"What is it now, Dobby?" I ask.

"Dobby must punish himself!" Dobby exclaims, banging his head into the floor. "Bad Dobby, bad bad!"

"Stop that, Dobby," I snap. "I want you to answer my questions now. So, you can't tell me who owns you?"

"Dobby is sorry. Dobby can't tell."

"Can we play a guessing game, then?" I suggest. "And you nod or shake your head?"

"Um..." Dobby says. "Dobby can do that."

"Alright," I say. "Does this family have a child at Hogwarts?" Dobby nods. "In my year?" He nods again. "In Gryffindor?" Dobby shakes his head. "Slytherin?" Dobby nods. "I see. Is your family the Malfoys?" Dobby nods his head uneasily, shaking now. "Alright, then."

Ron returns up the stairs and says, "Sorry, Mum doesn't know."

"That's alright," I say. "I just figured it out myself. He's one of the Malfoys' house-elves."

Ron's jaw drops. "Why would... why would the Malfoys..."

"I don't think they sent him," I say. "It seems he's here without permission."

Dobby starts hitting his head against the wall again. "Bad Dobby!"

I sigh again and rub my temples. "Dobby, stop doing that in our room," I say. "I've heard your warning and will take it into consideration. For now, why don't you go home?"

Dobby looks disappointed. It's like kicking a puppy. I hate seeing him like this. "Dobby will go. Dobby hopes great Harry Potter listen to warning and stay safe away from Hogwarts." He vanishes.

"What a headache," I mutter, and head downstairs to find Mrs. Weasley.

She's currently in the kitchen, doing a bit of cleaning. "What's this about a house-elf?"

"A house-elf belonging to the Malfoys, of all people," I say. "Warning me about how dangerous it would be go to back to Hogwarts. I guess he heard about something the Malfoys were planning and decided to try to warn me in some vague way."

"Hmm," Mrs. Weasley says. "He must have managed to find enough loopholes in their orders to do so."

"Personally, I'm impressed that he had the guts to do something like that," I say. "Hmm. Is there any way I would be able to 'acquire' him from the Malfoys?"

"I imagine it would be expensive, if you could even convince them to sell," Mrs. Weasley says. "The only other way would be to get them to give him clothes somehow, which seems equally unlikely."

"Still, I ought to try," I say. "I hate to see the poor little guy abused so. He seemed really miserable."

I doubt that I'd manage to be convincing or diplomatic enough on my own. I get Percy to help me draft my letter to the Malfoys. At least he has the tact and common sense to advise me not to insult Draco or his parents openly in the message. And for Dobby's sake, we also make sure not to make it sound like I'm interested in any particular house-elf.

Dear Mr. Malfoy,

Greetings. I am one of your son, Draco's, classmates. I am certain that you have heard of me in other contexts, however, so I need not repeat those. I'm told I am also the second cousin of Mrs. Malfoy, as well.

I have just turned twelve years old, and am looking to make considerations for my future, and to rebuild my household. To that end, I am looking to acquiring a house-elf. They are wonderful, useful creatures, and I certainly would not wish to be doing such menial tasks as housework and cooking myself. How many house-elves does your family have? Do you know where I could acquire one of my own?

Sincerely, Harry Potter

That'll do nicely enough. Neutral, cordial, and polite. I'm really leery about doing this when I still owe Draco a 'favor', but I'll just have to deal with the fallout from that as it comes, I suppose. I send the message off with Solomon, and head to bed.

---

A letter comes in from the Malfoys for me the next day at dinner.

Dear Mr. Potter,

It's good to hear from you directly. I've heard many things regarding you from Draco, but I regret that we have not had the opportunity to speak with one another personally as of yet.

I'm glad to hear a bright young man preparing for his future. Are you intending on moving into the ancestral Potter mansion? It has been empty for some time, I believe. Your father did not care for it, and once his parents passed on, no one else moved into the place.

We have five house-elves at Malfoy Manor. They are, indeed, useful creatures, although troublesome at times. You must always be certain to keep them on a short leash. There used to be a large market for house-elf breeding in this country, but it was unfortunately shut down decades ago. Currently, the only way to obtain one without going international is from another wizarding family, and the current breeding pool is very small.

I would perhaps be willing to part with one of our house-elves. It would please me if you could come to Malfoy Manor to discuss the matter in person. Is next Saturday good for you?

Sincerely, Lucius Malfoy

I read over the letter again, then a third time, and then have Percy and Mrs. Weasley read over it. It certainly sounds positive enough. I'm paranoid, however, and I don't think my luck is that good.

"I don't know that I like the idea of you visiting Malfoy Manor," Mrs. Weasley says. "It could be dangerous."

"I know," I say. "But it's my best chance to save Dobby."

"Still, Arthur should at least go with you to keep you safe," Mrs. Weasley suggests.

I can't really argue with that sentiment. "Good idea," I say. I go to jot off a note accepting Mr. Malfoy's invitation, and send Solomon off with it.

---

Arthur Weasley and I Floo over to Malfoy Manor on the appointed day. At least Mr. Weasley has robes that don't make him look like a bum. Apparently he works for the Ministry of Magic, so I suppose he'd have to have some decent-looking clothing. Still, I have to wonder if I might have managed to make a better impression if I came by myself, or perhaps asked Snape to accompany me. That might have been a better idea.

"Ah, good day to you, Mr. Potter," Lucius Malfoy says. "So good to finally meet you in person."

I give a polite bow. "The pleasure is mine, I assure you, sir."

"I'd like to introduce you to my wife, Narcissa," Mr. Malfoy says, gesturing to the well-dressed blonde woman behind him. "And you are already acquainted with my son, Draco." Draco is sneering at me in an expression clearly indicated that he hasn't forgotten about our little deal.

Aside from a disdainful look or two, Lucius Malfoy does his best to pretend that Arthur Weasley isn't present. We make small talk for a bit, and then Mr. Malfoy calls in the family house-elves to show me.

"And these are Tinky, Muffy, Curry, Dobby, and Glod," Mr. Malfoy says. Dobby's eyes are wide as he looks up at me, but he says nothing to indicate that we've met before. At least he has some spark of common sense. "Muffy is gravid, so she isn't available at this time, but I would be willing to part with any of the others for the sake of a fine, upstanding young gentleman as yourself. Or if you're willing to wait a few years, perhaps you'd be interested in Muffy's offspring instead? You'll be spending the next several years at school anyway, after all."

"Hmm, no," I say. "I think I'd like one of the adult ones." I look over the house-elves appraisingly, examining each one with a critical eye. "How about... Dobby?"

"Ah, he is a bit of a troublesome one," Mr. Malfoy says. "You might find yourself with your hands full with him. Might I recommend Tinky instead? She is always well-behaved and knows her place, and you'd be able to start breeding your own kennel of house-elves with the use of an appropriate stud."

I chuckle softly. "Trouble, is he?" I say. "Well, I don't mind a little trouble, now and then. I think he'd work just fine."

"If you are certain," Mr. Malfoy says. "I would normally ask for a thousand galleons for a young, healthy, well-trained house-elf, but I couldn't possibly ask for that much for such an ill-tempered creature. Tell you what, I'll give him to you for a mere five hundred galleons."

"Quite the bargain," I say, nodding to him. "That is acceptable."

We make all the necessary arrangements, and I send word to Gringotts to have the appropriate sum transfered to the Malfoys' vault. This seems almost too easy. Despite feeling good about helping out poor Dobby, I can't help but shake the dreadful paranoia that something bad may yet come of this all.

---

The next day, Dobby appears in the Burrow at breakfast. "Dobby is here to serve the great Harry Potter!" He seems almost beside himself with glee.

I beam at him. "So, Dobby," I say. "Can you tell me now what sort of hideous danger the Malfoys have planned for the upcoming school year?"

Dobby looks confused. "Dobby not know what Master Harry is talking about."

"You came to warn me about something a week ago," I say. "But you couldn't tell me what it was."

"Oh..." Dobby says. "Dobby not know."

Mrs. Weasley sighs, and says, "They probably Obliviated him before sending him over, to make sure he couldn't spill any of their secrets."

"Dobby has failed new master already!" Dobby says, starting to bang his head against the floor. "Dobby must punish himself!"

"No, Dobby!" I snap. "Stop! I forbid you from punishing yourself." Dobby stops what he's doing and looks at me wide-eyed. "I'll decide if something really warrants punishment."

"Yes, great Master Harry," Dobby says. "Dobby not punish himself anymore."

"Good," I say. "Now, seeing as I'm staying here at the Burrow for the summer, you can help out around here a bit. I'll be gone most of the year at Hogwarts, so I'd like you to stay here unless I need you for something in particular."

"Dobby will be very helpful!" Dobby says beaming. "It look like there lots for Dobby to do here!"

Mrs. Weasley coughs lightly and decides not to take offense at that. "Well, I certainly wouldn't mind having a house-elf around, but he's your house-elf, Harry."

"And I'm here right now," I say. "And I'll be at school in a month, so I won't really need him for much there. He might as well make himself useful in the meantime. Can't be letting him get bored and depressed."

Far from being depressed, Dobby looks as though he's never been happier. Much as I hate the idea of 'owning' another intelligent being, the least I can do is take one out of a bad situation that he obviously is miserable in and wants out of, even if he's forbidden to express that.

That reminds me. "And another thing, Dobby," I say. "I'd like you to speak your mind. Don't be afraid to say whatever you'd like about me. If you think I'm crazy, say so. If you're unhappy about something, tell me."

Dobby's eyes widen again, and he's quiet for a few moments before saying softly, "Dobby think Great Master Harry Potter shouldn't annoy Old Master Lucius..."

"Thanks, Dobby," I say graciously. "I'll take your opinion under consideration."

Dobby bursts into tears. "Dobby so happy!" he cries. "Great Master Harry too good to Dobby!"

I have to smirk a little at that. "Well, you'd best get used to being thanked and treated politely and respectfully," I say, grinning broadly. "Because I won't have it any other way."

I can deal with the Malfoys. It's worth it to see this little house-elf happy.