Chapter 65

"So you see, we are all very concerned about someone who is able to compel house elves to do something like this," Harry said while sitting on a small chair in the kitchen at Hogwarts. 

He was looking at nearly a hundred pairs of white luminous eyes that were regarding him intently. Some look amazed, a few troubled, but mostly they looked perplexed. 

"What I would like to ask you is have any of you ever heard of something like this before or heard of this particular situation?" 

Many of the pairs of eyes blinked and some turned to a neighbor to share their puzzlement. 

"As the great Harry Potter should know," a high pitched but gravelly voice said, "these elves don't know much about anything but cooking food and washing dishes." 

Harry looked to the sound of the voice and saw a wizened looking house elf standing off to one side regarding him with rhuemy but intense eyes. 

"If the great Harry Potter wishes to know what house elves know, the great Harry Potter should be talking to housekeeping elves." 

"I assume you're one of the housekeeping elves?" Harry asked. 

"The great Harry Potter is correct." 

"Alright, first of all, I've been here at Hogwarts for some time now, so Professor Potter is sufficient. And your name would be?" 

"Brumble is one's name," the old elf replied. 

"Alright, Brumble. What is it that the house elves who work upstairs know and how would they know it?" Harry asked. 

"House elves hear the students talk, talk, talk. Hear much that means nothing to house elves but sometimes hear things that house elves know too well. How some students don't like what Professor Potter and the tricksy Hermione Granger have done for house elves and the Centaurs and Goblins. House elves hear that maybe someone should do something to show witches and wizards that old ways are the best ways. That's what house elves hear." 

"So you think this 'One' person is using house elves to commit crimes so that witches and wizards will think house elves can't be trusted on their own?" 

The aged elf gave a very human like shrug and said, 

"Brumble tells Professor Potter what house elves hear. Professor Potter must decide what it means. Professor Dumbledore always said good things about Professor Potter when Professor Potter was still Harry Potter. So Brumble tells what house elves hear." 

"You've spoken to Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked. 

Brumble nodded. 

"Brumble cleans Headmaster's office and rooms. Brumble talked to Professor Dumbledore many times. Professor McGonagall not as much but some. Brumble has told what house elves hear, now must go back to work." 

With that the old elf shuffled across the large room and disappeared through a small door. Harry looked at the door for a few moments after it closed, thinking that at least he had some notion of what might be afoot. After thanking the other house elves for their time, Harry left the kitchen and headed for his classroom. There was some time left before his first class of the day, but he would have to wait until the afternoon before he could search out Professor Dumbledore. 

Harry made a concerted effort to maintain his focus on his students in the meantime. He had learned over the past few years that a distracted Professor Potter was a noteworthy subject and really got the rumor mill grinding. Staying focused also helped the day go faster so it didn't seem like all that long before he was standing outside the Room of Requirements. Opening the door he found the room with no chair and just the empty picture frame, all very business like. He smiled a bit. He stood before the frame and said, 

"Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore, are you there, sir?" 

"Harry, is that you, my boy? One moment, if you would." 

Harry thought he could hear a soft chorus of muffled voices and an attempt by the former Head to quiet them. The the image of the Professor walked into view. 

"Ah, Harry, so good to see you. How may I be of service?" 

"Good afternoon, Professor. I had two things to talk to you about. Well, one was really a question," Harry said. 

"Why don't we start with the question?" Dumbledore suggested. 

"Alright, sir. Have you ever come across a situation where house elves were used for criminal activity?" 

"Well, Harry, while I can't say I've had any personal experience, I do know that on some occasions that if a wizard or witch is strong willed enough, they could get their personal house elves to do some rather unpleasant things. Perhaps you should provide some details." 

Harry proceeded to explain the circumstances of earlier that morning. When he was finished he waited as Dumbledore regarded him in thoughtful silence. 

"Most unusual, dear boy. Particularly if your surmise is correct that these are the same house elves that committed the rash of burglaries recently. Most unusual but not unthinkable, Harry. Exactly how, and by whom, it is being done, that is the real question." 

"Yes, sir. That's what the investigators at the Ministry are trying to figure out. I thought I'd help by seeing what we at Hogwarts might know." 

"As always, I will question my colleagues and inform you of anything useful that the portrait gallery might have to offer," the former Headmaster said, with a small, wry smile. "And what might be the other matter that you wished to discuss, Harry?" 

"Well, sir, we made another trip to the cavern this past Saturday. Some things occurred that you might find interesting and I'd like to get your thoughts on them, if you would." 

"Of course, Harry. Pleas go on, in your own time of course." 

Harry explained the events of the previous Saturday. As always, when speaking to his mentor, Harry paid particular attention to the expression on Dumbledore's face as an indicator of the seriousness of whatever situation he was currently concerned with. At this particular time he noted several slight nods, a raised eyebrow and once the former Head pursed his lips. Harry concluded his narrative with his rereading of the obtuse volume of magic and his notes. When he finished Dumbledore waited for a few moments before offering any comments. 

"Well, dear boy," he began, "this is certainly a most interesting turn of events. But not all that surprising, in it's own way. My colleagues and I have often commented on our suspicions that there was a great deal going on beneath the surface, where you were concerned. So it would now appear that we were far more correct than we could have imagined. I suppose one could question the timing, but perhaps it truly is merely a consequence of your encounter with the pillar and energy flow it connects with. I would agree with your assessment that the young Harry would not have been well equipped to deal with such capabilities." 

"I sometimes wonder if the current Harry is, sir. It all seems a bit much at times," Harry said with his characteristic half smile. 

"A thought for you to consider, Harry, is that any individual possessed of great skills and talents can either choose to revel in them and use them as an excuse to raise themselves above their fellows, or they can acknowledge them and use them as needed for the benefit of their fellows. I am pleased to say that you have always followed the latter path as I would anticipate you always will." 

"I noticed you didn't say anything about ignoring them," Harry said. 

"Just so, Harry. You can no more ignore what you are and what you can do than you can ignore breathing. Eventually an outlet will be found. Nor will I suggest to you that you shouldn't be concerned about your abilities, Harry. The fact that you are indicates a proper frame of mind and a healthy respect of the possible consequences of their use. A wizard who callously disregards such is on a path to disaster." 

Harry nodded. 

"But as to the specifics, the possibilities are most intriguing, Harry, and I look forward to some very interesting discussions with you about what you discern from your studies of some of those arcane volumes you've discovered. I must admit that I never spent sufficient time studying such. There always seemed to be some distraction or another," the Headmaster said with a straight face. 

"Yes, sir, I can imagine you've had many concerns during your career," Harry replied just as blandly. 

Dumbledore chuckled. 

"I'd like to make an observation if I could, dear boy?" 

"Certainly, sir." 

"Over the years, you and I have had a number of conversations. In the early years, as one might expect, you were often looking for answers to problems you were facing. And I would try to help as I could but do you remember what I often told you?" 

"Yes, sir, I think so. You would say that in the end I would have to look to myself for the answers," Harry replied. 

"Just so, Harry. And of all the things you may have learned from me I think that is the lesson you have learned best. These days you are much more likely to share information or exchange ideas," Dumbledore said and then after a thoughtful pause added, "I believe it is safe to say I prefer it this way." 

Harry smiled a bit and said, 

"I think I do, too, sir." 

"A pleasant evening to you, Professor Potter." 

"And to you, too, Professor Dumbledore." 

As Harry walked back down to the Great Hall, where he planned to have dinner before heading for home, he thought about what Dumbledore had said. It would be very impractical, if not impossible, to not use the prodigious talents that he had been gifted. And it would be as irresponsible not to use them as it would be to use them recklessly or with ill intent. Apparently his mentor felt that as long as Harry had concerns about what he was able to do, he would be less likely to misuse them. He supposed there was some comfort to be had in that thought. 

He was also aware that for the first time he could recall, Dumbledore had called him Professor Potter. As he made his way to the head table he smiled a bit. As he climbed the steps to the dais he heard Bill call to him. 

"Hello there, Harry. Everything settled from this morning?" 

"I should think so, Bill. I didn't get any emergency messages and Milligan and Ron weren't about to leave the place unprotected. I imagine when I get home I'll find a fair share of the clan there as well." 

"Oh, I can pretty much guarantee that. Fleur was getting the girls ready to leave as I was departing this morning. You'll probably have a much quieter dinner here tonight," Bill said with a chuckle before turning serious. "I'll have to drop in myself once I finish some research. We'll have to step up the protective spells a bit. Some of them won't be very nice." 

"I suppose so," Harry said with a sigh. "I wonder if it would have been wiser to move some of those things to the vault at Gringotts?" 

"They've had their issues, too, Harry." 

He just nodded in response. While it might not have been quieter in the Great Hall than the dining room at Meadow Crest, it was at least normal. The buzz of multiple conversations punctuated by the occasional laugh had Harry feeling right at home and he was able to eat his dinner without to much preoccupation. He did notice that his three student collaborators, now seventh years kept casting glances in his direction and as the meal wound down he finally signaled them to come forward as the student body began to disperse. As they gathered around him at the foot of the steps he said with a smile, 

"I suppose I can gather what's on your mind this evening?" 

"Yes, sir," William Smithson replied. "We were wondering if you've decided about us getting a chance to see what you found in that cavern?" 

"Yes, I think I have. It appears that it will be safe enough. I had thought to be done with it for the year but I do owe you a look. We'll plan for Saturday after next. Bright and early. Although I don't anticipate any issues it's always better to be safe so plan on packing in the event of being there all day with a little extra to spare. I'll check with you again next week, how's that." 

"That will be great, sir," Smithson said, while the other two nodded eagerly. 

"Good, off you go then, but Ms. Quonset, a moment of your time, please." 

"Yes, sir," she replied as her two team mates moved away, their expressions quizzical. 

Harry made sure they were out of ear shot before he continued. 

"Ms. Quonset, as you may know, over the summer I had the opportunity to engage in an exchange with the Centaurs. It has been decided that our friend Morgotta, in her role as a Lore Master, is going to reciprocate and hold a similar session with a select group of Hogwarts students in the weeks ahead. I'd like you to be among that group." 

"Really, sir? That's brilliant," she replied enthusiastically. 

"I'm doing this for several reasons. One is that you've gained the trust and friendship of Morgotta and I believe that will help her with her task. She's not entirely comfortable with the idea of being around so many humans. The second is your relationship with her will make it possible for you to, I guess, prepare the rest of the group for what they are going to experience. I'll have you gather here in the Hall on Thursday evening and start that process. And lastly, with all your hard work last year on the project, I believe you deserve the opportunity." 

"Thank you so much, sir. I'm very grateful. Only, what about Michael and William?" 

"As hard as they worked, I'm afraid they've never really gotten past their initial reaction to Morgotta. It's one of the things we'll need to work on with the others," Harry said seriously. 

"Oh," she replied, blushing a bit, "you mean what I said about the page three girl business?" 

"Precisely." 

Amanda smiled a bit and then said, 

"I suppose in a way you can't blame them. She is rather striking in her own way." 

"That she is. Well, that is all for now, Ms. Quonset. I'd ask that you give some thought to what we'll discuss with the others on Thursday. I'll be in touch." 

"Yes, sir, and again, thank you, Professor." 

With that settled Harry left the castle and made his way to the small house and the hearth that led home to Meadow Crest. When Dinkle let him in through the back door the house wasn't in an uproar but there was a fair amount of conversation going on. In the next few minutes he was able to learn that in addition to Fleur and the girls, Molly and Arthur Weasley had spent the day, as did Charlie. George and Angelina had come by at separate times for a few hours and Gabrielle had arrived not too long before Harry had gotten home. Angus was expected at any moment. Harry was also told that Ron would be dropping in to update him on what they had found out during the day. 

Harry chose to wait until Ron arrived before he revealed what he had learned from Brumble the housekeeping elf and what Professor Dumbledore had suggested about house elves. In the conversation that filled the time until Ron arrived Harry had learned that Ginny had mobilized a support team for Lavender. Her pre-admission testing was scheduled for Thursday of that week and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had volunteered their services to get her to the hospital for the tests. 

In fact, Lavender would be spending the night before at the Burrow and then Mr. Weasley would drive her to the hospital for the tests. At first Harry was surprised at these arrangements but when he thought about it he knew he shouldn't be. Whenever the DA got together at one of his parties, Mrs. Weasley, in particular, would always make an effort to greet them, make sure they were well fed and wish them well before they left. Harry figured that perhaps since they all meant so much to him, and that four of her children, not to mention he and Hermione, had been members, then it followed they meant something to her. 

Ron finally arrived and everyone settled into the living room for the debriefing. Ron settled into a chair and appeared a bit uncomfortable at being the focus of everyone's attention but he began to tell what had been discovered up to that moment. 

"Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot to tell you. Those are four very messed up house elves. Two of them haven't said a word since we took them in hand and only the one has offered anything understandable. Whoever that ring leader is, they only know him, or her for that matter, as 'the One'. There is no description, no location and no apparent motive other than stealing stuff that has something to do with magic. If someone could talk some sense it might be possible to look for a pattern but it's mostly just rambling. Even your two elves couldn't help get much of anything useable from them, Harry. We don't even know if they were like this before they met this 'one' or it's happened to them from doing the burglaries." 

"How do you mean, Ron?" Charlie asked. 

"Well, it was suggested that maybe from having to force their way into places they aren't supposed to be, the protective spells might be doing something to them over time." 

"I wonder if Bill might know something about that? I'll ask him when I see him tomorrow," Harry said. 

"We might have another source of information on the elves," Harry, Ron said. 

"How so?" 

"Goldstein went up to Magical Creatures this afternoon and asked around to see if anyone there had anything to offer and there was a rumor of a hint of a suggestion that there is some old witch living up north that supposedly might be an expert on house elves. Word is she went to Beuaxbaton but came to the UK right after the big war," Ron explained. 

"I heard a whole lot of 'might be's in there, Ron. Does anyone think she really exists?" Harry asked, clearly skeptical. 

"I know, mate, but it's at least something to look into. Anthony is on his way up there now to start poking around and see if he can track her down. I swear as much as you're a dragon, Goldstein is a bloodhound. He loves to get his nose down and sniff for clues," Ron said with a grin. 

Harry simply nodded, then said, 

"Well, I did some poking at Hogwarts and this is what I turned up." 

Harry then explained what he had uncovered by talking to Brumble and Dumbledore. When he was done it was Ron's turn to nod. 

"Well, that's something. I'll let Mr. Milligan know and they can start looking into that previous batch of troublemakers and see if it leads us anywhere." 

They conversation went on for a bit more and then Harry thanked everyone for their concerns and assistance and suggested they should head for their own homes and get some rest. After the house emptied of guests the Potters fell to the mundane tasks of getting two youngsters to bed and then the three adults retired to the library. Ginny began making copious notes for the journal while Harry and Abagail sat at the chessboard. While the two played a more or less friendly game, as far as wizards chess can be friendly, Harry had an interesting thought. So when Abagail left for bed, Harry pulled down the book on chess strategies that Ron had given him some years early and began to read. As he did, he smiled a small smile. 

The following days were calm. Bill assured Harry he was pulling together some serious protection for the house and he would arrive bright and early that Saturday to set everything up. On Thursday afternoon he gathered together the group of seventh years that were going to meet with Morgotta the next week for a meeting. There were more than would fit in