kbinnz - Harry's New Home

"But what about тАУ"

Their animated argument continued through dinner and the opera. Sirius and Ursula initially attempted to turn the conversation to less contentious topics, but they quickly realized that the two were extremely happy exchanging insults and abstruse references, and they left them to it.

The end of the evening came as a surprise to Snape. He had been thoroughly enjoying the repartee with Brunhilde, and he was rather dismayed when Sirius finally began tugging on his arm. "Come on, Snape. We need to get back to Harry and Remus. It's not fair to leave Remus alone all night with Harry. Not right now."

Snape caught the veiled reference to the rapidly approaching full moon. While Lupin wouldn't transform for another 36 hours, he tended to become extremely fatigued and distracted as the time approached, and it was neither safe nor fair to leave him alone for an extended period of time. Not when his charge was a curious 11 year old who was also the target of Death Eaters. "Yes," he agreed regretfully. "Ah, erm, thank you for a lovely evening, Madame Zeeman," he said, his awkwardness returning as he sought to make his farewell to Brunhilde.

"It was my pleasure, Potion Master Snape," she replied gravely, but the twinkle in her eye rivaled Albus'.

"Er, perhaps I could see you again?" he asked hopefully.

She gave him a genuine smile. "I'd like that. And perhaps next time we won't need to be accompanied by the traveling snogfest?" she suggested, glancing over to where Ursi was giving Sirius a very passionate good night kiss.

"Erm, yes," he coughed, redfaced. He hastily looked away from the groping hands and wished he could cast a Muffliato to silence the loud groaning and moaning.

"I had a very nice time," Brunhilde continued. And suddenly her hand was on the back of his neck and her lips were coming up to meet his own andтАж Snape's world disappeared in a blaze of lights and sensation.

When he came back to himself, it was to find Sirius' arm around his shoulder, propelling his stumbling feet down the boulevard. "Urgle. Glip," he gasped to Black.

"Yeah, they're some kissers, those Zeeman girls," Sirius agreed happily, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "So you liked her, right?"

"Smlpff. Grxnl." Snape's eyes were still slightly crossed.

Black grinned. "Happy Christmas, Snape."

TBCтАж

*Chapter 43*: Chapter 43

Harry threw himself down on his bed with a happy sigh. As much fun as he'd had with Ron and the Weasleys, not to mention Padfoot and Moony, he was still very happy to be back at Hogwarts, in his own bedroom, with his da puttering away in his potions lab. He could tell that his da was very happy to be home too, though he was pretty sure he'd had a good time in Switzerland with Brunhilde. His da had gone out with her several more times after Sirius had first introduced them, and Harry had even tagged along once or twice. He liked Brunhilde тАУ she didn't treat him like a kid; she took his questions seriously, and she also didn't seem interested in keeping his da all to herself. And he could tell that his da liked talking with her тАУ and looking at her, though Harry had learned better than to point that out!

Still, Brunhilde had made it clear that she was very busy with her work in Basel, and she had a 9 year old godson there, Jonah, whom she obviously adored. She had suggested that maybe Harry and his da might like to visit her and Jonah sometime, and Harry was looking forward to it тАУ that was perhaps the one thing he had missed while visiting Padfoot and Moony: having other kids to play with. Unfortunately, Jonah and his family were off visiting the dragons in Romania over the holidays, or Brunhilde promised he would have floo'd over. Still, it was nice to think that Harry might have a built-in playmate next time he visited his godfatherтАж Not that Sirius didn't qualify as an oversized playmate himself!

While Harry knew his da liked Brunhilde, Harry didn't think Snape really minded that she was so obviously busy with her own life and not interested тАУ at least right now тАУ in spending lots of time together. He knew Snape had a lot to do too, what with his teaching and his House and thinking up ways to defeat Voldesnort. Harry relaxed on his bed, staring up at the canopy and wondering if the new term would be as exciting as the last.

"Oooooooh, Master Harry Potter Sir!" A pop by his right ear made him start, and he jerked up to see an unfamiliar house elf standing by his bed and wringing his hands.

Harry looked at the elf curiously. He didn't think he'd met this one before, and it looked distinctly different from the average Hogwarts house elf. To start with, it was dressed in a ragged towel, and it was scrawny to the point of emaciation. "Er, hello?" he offered uncertainly.

"Master Harry Potter Sir said hello!" it squeaked in rapture, then instantly banged its head on the ground, badly startling Harry.

"Oi! Don't do that!" Harry yelped, hopping out of bed and trying to restrain it. "Don't hurt yourself!"

"Oh, Master Harry Potter Sir is a good master. Master Harry Potter Sir is kind and good, even to wicked, wicked house elves like Dobby."

"Dobby? Is that your name?" Harry asked, hopelessly lost.

"Master Harry Potter Sir wants to know Dobby's name!" The house elf's eyes were shiny with tears. "Good Master Harry Potter Sir!"

"Erm, thanks, I guess. UmтАж can I help you?" Harry began to wish his guardian would appear in the doorway.

"No, no, Master Harry Potter Sir! It is Dobby who is here to help you. Master Harry Potter Sir must be leaving Hogwarts right away! Yes, Master Harry Potter Sir must not be staying here."

"What? But I live here!" Harry protested.

"No no no! It is too dangerous! Bad things will happen soon and тАУ No no no! Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby!" The elf yanked at its own ears in a frenzy of self-loathing. "Mustn't tell! Mustn't tell secrets!"

"Dobby! Wait! Quit it! Stop!" Harry grabbed the frantic little thing. "Stop it! What danger? You mean for me?"

"Master Harry Potter Sir must leave Hogwarts! Master Harry Potter Sir must promise Dobby he will go away!"

Go away from Hogwarts? Like back to the Dursleys? Harry set his jaw. "I won't," he declared firmly. "I live here now, an' I'm not leaving."

Dobby gave him an anguished look. "But if Master Harry Potter Sir will not leave on his own, then Dobby will have to make him leave. No! No! Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby to threaten good, kind Master Harry Potter Sir!" And again the odd elf began to bang his head against the stone floor.

Now thoroughly unnerved, Harry ran for the door. He wasn't sure if the elf meant him harm or was just completely doolally, but either way, he was pretty sure that his Da would have his hide if he didn't seek help. To his relief, the elf was too busy punishing himself to try and prevent his escape.

"Da!" Harry dashed into the Potions lab, startling Snape and causing him to drop a vial of frog toes.

"Harry James Potter! What have I told you about running around like a bansh-" Snape's angry scolding abruptly halted as Harry darted around him as if for protection. Instantly his wand was in his hand and pointed at the door while his other held Harry close to his side.

"What is it?" he demanded tightly, when no obvious threat burst into the room in pursuit of the child.

"A house elf!" Harry exclaimed.

Snape fought not to bring his wand down across the brat's backside. A house elf! The little monster ran in here as if the hounds of hell were after him, scaring him half to death, wasting valuable potions ingredients, all because one of the bloody house elves was being a bit too doting in its attention? "You тАУ" he started off furiously.

"No, no!" Harry shook his head, realizing the conclusion Snape had reached. "It's not a normal house elf. This one was crazy! It kept banging its head on the ground like it hated talking to me and it wanted to send me back to the Dursleys and it threatened me!"