Chapter 15

            It was dream. There was no other explanation for it. Things like this didn’t happen to her. She was just Hermione, Hermione Jean Granger daughter of Matilda and Barnaby Granger. Dentists. Not magical dentists just regular, run of the mill dentists. Did wizards even need dentists? The conversation that Mr. McQueen had with her parents a few days ago was still sinking in. Hermione continuously pinched herself to make sure that it was all actually happening. The letter hadn’t come yet. It had to be a mistake…

            “ Hermione, you need to chill out. My letter hasn’t come yet and we both know that I’m a witch. Plus, my bum is still tender from that crash landing it took and my dad still can’t look your mum in the eye. All signs are pointing to you being a witch.” Both of the girls had been held up in Zora’s room combing through Samson’s old textbooks. Luca had been curled up taking a nap besides Zora.  

            Ever since that grand revelation, Samson finally allowed the whole Granger family into their home. Barnaby had a field day exploring their house. The moving photos…seeing Samson use magic to help around the kitchen and watching Luca transform in the backyard. He was like a kid in a candy store. By the end of their first visit he was trying Matilda to allow them to one of their own. Matilda refused. 

“  I’m sorry, it’s just a lot to take in. I feel so unprepared.” She turned to the next page of A History of Magic. “ Thankfully your dad’s handwritten notes are quite helpful…”

“ There are plenty of other muggle-borns that don’t have a clue about Hogwarts or magic, you’ll be fine. I don’t know why we’re looking through all this stuff now. This is what school is for. We only have a few weeks left of being on holiday…” Zora stretched her arms above her head and then picked up A Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore.

“ What better time to get a head then during holiday? Our professors will surely be impressed with how much we already know. We can build up a good reputation with them and…”

“…be teased and ridiculed by all the other students. I doubt that Hogwarts will be that different from Middleton Hermione. Why don’t we take it slow…we’ve got nothing to prove. We’re just as good as anyone else coming into Hogwarts…” Hermione ignored most of her friend’s rant. Zora didn’t understand what she was feeling. She grew up with some of this knowledge. Hermione was started from scratch and she needed to catch up because she did have something to prove. Muggle-born or not she was determined to thrive in wizarding world.

“ Yes, yes Zora that’s all good now shush I’m trying finish this chapter on 15th Century wizards. “ Hermione said in a distracted tone. Zora pouted and slammed the book closed. She reached over and snatched the book from Hermione.

“ Hey—!“ Luca woke up when his head unceremoniously hit the carpet. He gave a disgruntled growl and got up.

“ Enough, we’ve been in this room for hours and my legs feel like they’re going to fall off. We are going down stairs and outside. Fresh air is not going to kill you.” Zora dragged Hermione by the arm down the stairs. Luca followed the girls, still groggy.

“ Why don’t we take a ride on Luca? I haven’t done that in a while…ohhh we probably could do a little flight practice…”  

“ Flight practice?!”

“ Didn’t I tell you? Luca has the ability to fly, I’ve been dying to try it…”

“ Zora your father—“

“ Is clear across the world and won’t find out if no one tells him…”

“ Tonks—“

“ Is laying out on the couch after watching that telly-machine thing nonstop. Besides, if she were awake she’d probably be on my side. “

“ The neighbors—“

“ Are all old and don’t ever come out of their houses. Which is a bit curious if you think about it but nonetheless it’s beneficial for us.”

 “ Zora—“

“ Oh come one Hermione, we’ve been doing nothing but reading about magic. Wouldn’t it be cool just to experience it, intentionally…for once?” Hermione didn’t look persuaded. After an intense glare Hermione sighed in resignation.

“ Are you sure that we won’t get in trouble with the Ministry? I swear McQueen if I get expelled from Hogwarts before I even step foot on the grounds I will come after to you.”

“ I don’t doubt it…you know you’re scary when you’re angry?” Hermione gave her a light shove but followed her quietly to the front door.

“ And where do you two think you’re going?” Tonks yawned and rubbed her eyes.

“ Uh…just taking Luca for a walk…bathroom break…you know regular stuff.” Zora hoped that her eye color hadn’t changed because Tonks was moving closer.

“ Really now…” the newly graduated Auror bent down and looked Zora straight the eye. She turned her head and stared at Hermione who noticeably nervous. “ And were you two going to leave a note or come and tell me that you all were leaving?” 

“ A note…?”

“ Yes, a convenient little piece of paper with writing on it? You’ve heard of it I’m sure…” Tonks regained her posture and put her hands on her hips, “ Out with it Zora, now.”

“ Well you see…we were kind of bored upstairs reading so…we thought that we could…you know do some…hands on practice…”

“ Such as…?”

“ Flying…?” Zora said it as innocently as possible but it only caused the older girl to raise an eyebrow.

“ In broad daylight, with muggles running about?”

“ The neighborhood is so quiet! And…and I’ve never seen people come out of their houses…we promise we’ll be super careful!”

“ Zora, no. I’m all for experimentation with magic but no. Your dad would have my head.”

“ What if we found somewhere completely abandoned! No people at all, just us. Then could we fly around a bit? Please Tonks, we’re tired of just reading about magic. We want to live it!”

“ Actually—“ Zora elbowed Hermione before she finished her thought.

“ The summer before Hogwarts is always the hardest, I get it Zora. I really do. But—“

“ Please Tonks! Dad doesn’t have to know…besides he only said that we couldn’t do magic without being supervised and that it had to be small stuff. Luca would be doing all the work…so really we wouldn’t be us using magic at all…”

  Tonks sighed, she was such a pushover with kids…“ Fine, I might know of a place but you two have to do everything I say and when I tell you two that we have to leave we leave, got it?”

“ Yes! A thousand times! ” Zora nodded enthusiastically.

“ Thank you Nymphadora.” Hermione said politely.

“ Tonks, Granger…just Tonks.” The Auror turned around and walked towards that backyard. “ You two better get a move on before I reclaim my adult sense of responsibility.”

The girls ran to catch up to the pink-haired woman. Tonks motioned for the girls to grab on to her hands. “ Hold on to your to your aglets girls. We’re going for a ride.”

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            “ Hermione you alright there? ” The girl made sickly moans while she held her head and stomach. “ Sorry bout that, I forgot you’ve never traveled by apparation before. Yeah…it’s a doozy. All you need to do is sit down…yes…yes… that’s right. Easy does it. There you go.”

            Tonks took out a container of water from her knapsack and gave it to Hermione. “ Close your eyes, sip slowly and breathe deeply.” 

They had landed into a beautiful open field, the breeze was light and the sun peeked behind a multitude of clouds. It was perfectly deserted, a little piece of earth that seemed untouched by man. Zora took a deep a breath and smiled. She felt at home here. The grass seemed greener here. The trees seemed fuller. A little slice of heaven.

Luca seemed to enjoy it as well, he transformed into his largest size and stretched his limbs. He began rolling around on the ground, yipping and growling happily.

“ This place is brilliant Tonks, how did you ever find out about it?” Zora took another deep breath. She twirled around to her former tutor and ailing friend.

“ Let’s just say it’s complicated…and leave at that. Yeah?” Tonks couldn’t help but grimace. This place was always bittersweet to her and her mother. Andromeda would never say it aloud but the only reason why she would take her to this place was because it was close to the Malfoy Manor. Her father told her about the separation between her mother and the other Black sisters when she reached her final year of Hogwarts. They didn’t approve of Ted in the slightest because of his blood heritage. Bellatrix made it quite clear that she would not associate herself with if Andromeda continued her relationship with Ted and that any offspring conceived in such a union would be no blood of hers. Narcissa, however was more neutral in the matter, she loved both of her sisters dearly and didn’t like the separation of the family. Not being able to make a choice, Andromeda made it for her. She left without notice or warning, and she made no contact with either sister again. All that she would allow herself was the field and nothing more.

            The lands that they were currently standing on had no actual owner, so Tonks thought it would be safe to take the girls there.

            “ Alright well, it’s beautiful in any case so…thank you for bringing us here.” Zora whistled for Luca to come over to her and smiled as he bounded over to her. With each step he took there was a small shake in the ground. Eventually his leaps turned into light trotting until he stopped right in front of his young mistress.

            “ Keep close Zora while I tend to Hermione okay?”  Zora nodded as she climbed on to Luca’s back, the harness transformed to allow for two looped reins for her hands. She settled into the saddle and made sure that her feet secured in the foot guards. “ Here is some water and an apple incase you get hungry. Now, to the ridge and no further McQueen, we clear?”

            “ Yes Tonks, come on Luca let’s go for a run.” She pulled gently on the reins and guided the large beast towards the open field.

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            “ Yeah! Yeah get him! Woo!” a group of young wizards flew on their broomsticks chasing after a house elf.

            “ Come on Goyle get him!”

            “ I- I got him!  Come here you stupid elf!”

            Dobby ran for his life, bobbing and weaving. The sound of maniacal laughter was  all around him. He wasn’t pay attention about where he was going all he wanted was to get away.  They were using him as target practice, for almost an hour. Theodore Nott,  Vincent Crabbe,  and Gregory Goyle were flying about on their brooms going after Dobby while Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson and new addition Blaise Zabini sat under one the trees watching.

            “ This is boring. None of them can keep a good aim for more than an second.” Blaise complained. Pansy slouched against the tree next to Draco and started playing the ends of her hair.

            “ Crabbe and Goyle…They’re too big, their balance is off. Doubt the brooms can handle all that weight.” Draco commented. The three children laughed quietly.

            “ What’s Nott’s excuse then?” Pansy asked cattily. The amusement on her pug shaped face was noticeable.

            “ Minds not on it, probably thinking about something weird.” Draco said flippantly.  Draco’s hands were itching, almost like he could feel his magic scratching him from the inside. He couldn’t wait until they went to Diagon Alley to get his wand. Then he would be a proper wizard, not a boy playing at magic.

            “ Why don’t you have a go then?” Blaise spoke. His complete disinterest was obvious. He didn’t want to be here, he’d much rather be at home using his new wand. His mother forbade him from bringing it with him today. But that didn’t stop him from talking about it. Watching the faces of the others screw up in envy was priceless. Especially the Malfoy boy. He was so easily provoked that Blaise couldn’t help but poke at him.

            “ What was that Zabini? Think I couldn’t hit a stupid elf?” Blaise smirked and stretched out his arms.

            “ You talk a big game Malfoy…but I’ve yet to actually see anything worthwhile.”  The frown on Draco’s face deepened. His pride obviously threatened. The black boy decided to go a little further with his taunts.

            “ Come on Malfoy, show us how it’s done.” Pansy huffed with indignation.

            “ Draco, you don’t have to prove anything…”

            “ Actually, Parkinson, he does. All day he’s been talking mess. About time he backed it up…unless he can’t.” And that was when Draco had had enough.

            “  Shut up Pansy, this doesn’t have anything to do with you. You wanna go Zabini? Alright. I could use the practice.” He got up from his seat under the tree and wiped his pants of the dirt. Blaise followed him, smirking all the way. Draco ordered Crabbe and Goyle to hand over their brooms and their bags of rocks.

            “ First to 20 hits wins. Think you can handle it Zabini?”

            “ More than you could Malfoy. Let’s do it.” They both got on to their brooms and off they went.  The both of them would bob and weave through the air each taking their shots and most of them actually made their target. The yelps of pains spurred on their actions.  It was just a game to them. A chance to see which of them was better. Even at such a young age the hubris was strong within them.

Dobby, with every rock that made contact, became bloodier by the second. All he wanted to was to get away but he knew that with single command he could very well be stuck in frozen position. He was trapped. Like a flea bitten rat. His only chance for freedom lied in the clothing of his torturer. The elf felt himself slow down, he was so tired. His vision became blurry. Was it over? Was death his only other option? It surely had to be better than this…

“ WHAT DO YOU TWO THINK YOUR DOING?!”

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            The rush of air blowing past her was invigorating, but Zora knew that Luca could go faster. She squeezed his sides, signaling him let loose. The ground underneath them trembled and it made Zora feel great. There was nothing she liked better more than to be outside. She loved to interact with the plants and gardens near her house. She liked to tend to her mother’s community garden as much as she could in between reading up on things for Hogwarts. Zora knew that one of things that she would miss most about home other than her family was the garden her mother helped to create. She never felt closer to her mother than when she was at the garden. There were times that she went back to cemetery, attempting to make contact with her through the Guardian assigned to her mother’s grave with no results. Her father worried that she was becoming obsessed and maybe she was. Hearing her mother speak wasn’t enough anymore. It only made things all the worse or better she still hadn’t decided. In either case, Zora stopped herself from going to the cemetery so much.

            The garden, however, was their place it was sacred ground. It was the place where she would talk to Cecile. To ask questions knowing she would not get answers. She let the wind carry them to the heavens…or where ever her mother was. Maybe that was why she wished to fly to so much. She wanted to break through the invisible barrier between the two worlds somehow. She wondered what it would be like to glide through the air unattached, to experience such freedom. Zora gripped Lucas’s reins tighter and lean forward as Luca picked up speed. They seemed have the same idea, as Luca thundered across the field his paws began to spark with blue flame. They never had the chance to fly before and they weren’t going to waste this chance. The flames grew fiercer as they moved in sync. Luca started to jump into the air, each one lasting longer than the last. They were climbing up an invisible mountain, adrenaline pumped through their veins. This was it, the moment she had been waiting for. Slowly she let go of the reins, lifted them to balance herself. It was glorious, the weightlessness…the rush of air around her.

            It only lasted a second, the next she could feel Luca rear up in surprise as two figures sped past them. She screamed as she felt herself fall back and slip off Lucas back. She was falling. Her mind scream for her to something to transform into a bird but she couldn’t focus. She was going to die. She saw Luca clawing his way through the air towards her, but she didn’t think that he would be able to make it in time.

            “ Grab on!” she heard some one yell to her. She grabbed on blindly on a piece of cloth tightly and latched on to the waist of her would be rescuer. She heard a yelp of pain and a yell “ Oi, not so hard! What, you have talons for finger nails or something?”

            “I’m trying not to die! Deal with it!”

             Suddenly Luca flew over snapping, scaring the boy causing the boy to loose control of the broom nose diving them to the ground. Thankfully they didn’t have far to fall. The front of end the broom caught on to the ground throwing them off. Zora groaned in pain as she rolled over. What in Merlin’s beard…?

           She slowly opened her eyes, amazed that she was still alive. Thankfully the grass was soft and absorbed some of the shock. Zora lifted her head and saw an escalating situation unfolding. Luca was mad. The blue flames seemed to dance violently as he bared his teeth. Zora heard voices…human voices…they were yelling. She wasn’t sure if it was out of fear or anger. Either way she needed to get Luca under control before some got hurt.

                  “ Luca…come.” A whisper was all that it took. The flames had stopped completely. The hound sheathed his dagger sharp teeth and went back to where his mistress was laying. Zora slowly sat up and gently touched her hand to his muzzle and rubbed. He growled nervously as he nuzzled her hand. He was inspecting her. He began sniffing her and Zora started to giggle. She gave a peck in between the eyes and hugged his muzzle.

                  “ Gave you a fright didn’t I? I’m sorry. I’m all right. Really.” Zora got up to stand, still a little shaky. She looked over to the small group of children. They looked at her wearily. Zora straightened her clothes and straightened her posture. They were surrounding someone who was still on the ground. She didn’t recognize him. He certainly wasn’t like the other appearance wise. He skin was like ebony and his hair was very short. He was black. She walked slowly towards them, Luca padding right behind her. She looked him down at him asked him point blank.

                  “ Are you alright?” He gave her a mean look and then winced. She kneeled down to get a better look. Zora looked at his leg and saw him holding it tightly. A sprain? Or was it broken? Either way it would have to be looked at.

                  “ What do you think?”

                  “ Oi, no need to be snippy with me. It’s your fault this happened, yours and…” Zora turned her head and saw a platinum blonde hiding behind a baby giant. “ …his.”

                  Draco Malfoy. Of course it would be him.  Zora muttered under her breath but focused back on the boy in front of her. “ What’s your name?”

                  “ Zabini, Blaise Zabini…” She recognized the last name from somewhere…but she couldn’t place it.

                  “ Well, are you going to tell me your name? I did almost die saving your arse.”  

                  She was about to give the boy a piece of her mind until a female voice piped in.“ Oh you should know her name Blaise…she was in all the papers a few months ago…had bit of a mental break down. Poor thing.”

                  Zora gritted her teeth and turned in the direction of the voice. The girl’s face reminded her of a disgruntled pug.

                  “ Don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of getting your name.” She slowly stood up and looked the fair skinned girl straight in the eye.

                  “ You haven’t, my name is Pansy Parkinson.” She said smugly. Zora tried to keep her eyes from rolling but failed miserably.

                  “ How lovely for you. Well, better be off…” turned away quickly, she knew herself well enough to know that color of her eyes would soon begin to change. She needed to get away from them.

                  “ Wait don’t you think you should try and help our dear friend here? He did go out of his way to rescue you…” The sugar sweet tone made Zora want to gag. What was even worse was that she right. No matter how much of it was his fault he did save her. She owed him a check out.

                  “ I’m not your friend Parkinson.”

                  “ Oh Blaise you’re such a kidder.”

                  “ Fine. Whatever. Luca lay down.” He didn’t do it. Actually he took a step back. Obviously he was not happy with this arrangement but neither was she.

                  “ Luca…” She wasn’t playing. She wanted this over. The quicker they got this Blaise boy fixed the sooner they could depart ways. Luca finally plopped down causing the nearby ground to shake a little.

                  One of the larger boys helped Blaise onto Luca’s back. And Zora quickly climbed up back on to the saddle. She pulled on the two hoop reins and Luca stood up. She guided him back to where she came and then stop. She turned her head and looked over her shoulder. Making direct eye contact with Draco.

                  “Malfoy.” His head popped up. “Give Zabini your broom.”

                  “ Why?” Both boys questioned. Troll boggies…nothing but troll boggies up there.

                  “ He’ll need a way to get back to you all. And that other broom is stuck in the ground. You didn’t think I was giving him a ride back did you?” Zora gave them both an incredulous look. Malfoy reluctantly gave Blaise his broom. “I’m not doing this because I like any of you. You’ve heard of me as I’ve heard of you all. Does the name Neville Longbottom mean anything to you?”

                  She saw the blonde noticeably stiffen. She knew it. Mimsy wouldn’t lie to her. Not when she asked for the truth. It was two months after she slowly began to reconnect with her grandfather. She had asked what happened after the “incident” and Mimsy told her what happened. She didn’t know individual names but she was very descriptive. Malfoy and his minions swarmed Longbottom after she had left. The guests were slowly leaving. No one seemed to notice, probably too busy talking about her “mental breakdown”. Malfoy and the rest of his crew were bullies and she had no time or sympathy for them. She would not allow them to hold a debt (imaginary or otherwise) over her head.

                  “ We better get a move on—“ there was a rustle in the grass, a moan of pain. Zora didn’t know what it was. The creature was cover in patches of blood. Its rags were beginning to soak through. She took a closer look from her perch and gasped. It was a house elf. How did it get so bruised and beaten? Zora climbed off Lucas back and made her way to the wounded elf. He looked so weak…and familiar. And then it clicked…this elf belonged to the Malfoy House. Dobby was his name.

                  “ You poor thing …what have they done to you?” She took out a cloth napkin and tried to wipe some of the blood away. He needed medical attention, immediately. Zora looked behind her and saw Theodore Nott playing with a small pouch. Throwing a small pebble up and down in his hand. Suddenly everything became clear.

                  “This is what you all were doing? Using him as target practice?”

                  “ We were just having a bit of fun—“ Theodore began to speak.

                  “ Bit of fun? Look at him! He needs medical attention. Now.”

                  “ Why she getting so upset Draco? It’s just a stupid house elf…” Goyle asked aloud but the blonde boy made no movements to answer. His eyes continued to focus on the girl in front of him. The look of growing anger was a bit more concerning to him at the moment.

                  “ Just a stupid house elf? They are most certainly not stupid!”

                  “ They are born to serve us.”

                  “ They are born to be happy Parkinson. Just as you or me. You can’t do this, it isn’t right. It’s barbaric.”

                  “ Says the granddaughter of Reginald McQueen. A man who has a mansion full of them.”

                  “ My grandfather would never allow this to happen!”

                  Pansy was eating this up gleefully. “Your grandfather keeps elves. They serve him. If he really wanted them free he would’ve done it a long time ago. Wouldn’t he?”

                  Zora wanted to say that it was different, that they were different. True, the utterly vile actions towards these creatures would never happen at the McQueen estate, not under her grandfather’s watch. But that did not negate the fact that they were…not…free. Not like she was. And that wasn’t right. But they seemed so happy…and then she remembered something her grandmother told her once. Just because someone is singing and smiling doesn’t always mean that they’re happy.

                  She never thought about it. Much to her chagrin. Well, now she had a choice. To either let this go or do something about it.

                  “ You’re right Pansy…” she said calmly as she could, she didn’t look at the brunette knowing that only expression she would find would full of smug. She continued to stare mournfully at the wounded house elf in her arms. “ My grandfather does…own slaves. No matter happy they seem. I can’t excuse him for it…I can’t excuse myself for either. Things need to change. If people are going to treat elves this horribly…this cruelly…then something needs to be done.”

                  But what could be done? Forcing them to be free wouldn’t help. They would only see it as a punishment. Tricking them would be dishonest. They had to learn that freedom wasn’t bad. That it wasn’t disgraceful. But who would teach a group of elves? It all seemed too hard, too impossible. Zora felt tears begin to well up in her eyes, once again feeling helpless. The tears started to fall even though she tried hard to keep them from spilling over. Two hit Dobby on the head and running across his face.

                  “ Zora! Where are you?! I swear when I get my hands on you…”

                  “ Tonks!” Zora grabbed the house elf gingerly and quickly made her way to the Auror. No one tried to stop her. “ Tonks please you have to help! He’s hurt. Please! I don’t think he’s breathing.”

                  The look on Tonk’s face changed from anger to concern. She told Zora to lay him down so she could get a look at him. Still crying Zora did as she was told and laid Dobby on the soft grass. When she did however, she gasped. Dobby…he was healed. The rags he wore were still bloody but his face…and arms…they were healed. All that was left were minute scratches.

                  “ Tonks I swear! He was hurt…badly hurt…i-is he dead?” Tonks checked his pulse and felt it increasing slowly.

                  “ He’s alive…I think he’ll be okay.” Dobby slowly opened his eyes. Whimpering in fright, trembling in her arms. Zora shushed him. Rubbing his head gently.

                  “ You’re alright I don’t know how but you are…you’re safe.” For the time being.

                  “ D-dobby is sorry miss! Dobby will get out of your way.”

                  “ Wait...Dobby. How are you feeling?” Tonks had to ask. From the way that Zora was acting it seemed like this house elf was going to die. He seemed perfectly fine, besides the blood stains.

                  “ Dobby feels…” and then he looked at himself. Expecting gashes and found none. “ He is healed.”

                  Zora let him go and Dobby stood up. He started to hop, testing out his limbs. “D-dobby feels very good.”

                  “ That’s wonderful. I was so worried.”

                  “ How did you get so beaten up?” Tonks had her suspicions, noticing the way that both Zora and the house-elf stiffened.

                  Dobby began to whimper, falling onto the ground. Crying his eyes out.

                  “ Those guys…over there…they were using him for target practice.” Zora pointed over to where Malfoy and his posse stood.

                  “ I see…” Tonks said sadly. It didn’t surprise her that her cousin would pull something like this. Zora shushed Dobby again, begging him not to cry.

                  “Tonks, isn’t there something you could do. Isn’t there some law…to protect…”

                  “ No…the only thing that we can do is return him to his rightful…family.”

                  “ But Tonks!”

                  “ Zora, I’m sorry. But I can’t do anything more. He bound to the Malfoy’s. His fate is to be decided by them. No one else can interfere.” It was moments like that Tonks hated being an Auror. She became an Auror to protect. Unfortunately her reach only extended so far.

                  “ Alright.” Zora felt a bit of nausea fall over her. She couldn’t look at Dobby. She couldn’t look him in the eye. There was nothing she could do. Maybe…she could ask Draco to free him?

                  “ Your elf, Mr. Malfoy.” Tonks said in an official sounding voice. She doubted if his mother even told him that he had extended family. It was odd, to look at him and feel a slight pull to him. Even though they had not formally met until this moment. Dobby hesitantly went over to his young master, whimpering softly as he wrung his hands.  Draco glared silently and then focused back on to the two girls in front of him. He puffed out his chest and imagined himself to be like his father.

                  “ Dobby back to the house, now!” The elf disappeared in a blink of an eye.

                  “ Don’t yell at him!”

                  “ He’s my servant, I’ll speak to him as I please.”

                  “ If you had a decent bone in your body you would release him. No creature should have to live in constant fear. He was absolutely trembling.”

                  “ He knows who his betters are—“

                  “ Ha, I hope you don’t mean yourself.”  Zora and Draco continued to glare at each other until a voice broke their concentration. 

                  “ Um, what about me? Still got a broken leg over here?” Blaise interjected. He was still on Luca’s back. Wincing as he held on to his leg. “ Helloooo?”

                  “ Just fix him and leave McQueen. You’re on my property.”

                  “ You don’t own this bit of land Mr. Malfoy. As far as your family’s reach does go…it does not include here. You have no say on who is allowed to stay.” Tonks turned her back and went towards Blaine. She lifted her wand, muttering a spell and tapped Blaine’s knee. There was a snap and a yelp. Luca abruptly sat himself down while Blaise tumbled off onto the grass.

                  “ You alright young man?” Tonks couldn’t help but smirk a little. Zora let out a giggle, Luca walked over to where his mistress was standing and sniffed at snorted at Malfoy in an intimidating manner. He didn’t change back to his smaller form. Still uncomfortable with group that was surrounding them.

                  “ I’m fine.” Blaise huffed curtly. He jumped up and tested out his newly repaired leg. Everything seemed to be in proper working order. He stared around to the group that he came here with but kept but didn’t say anything. He just glared at the lot.

                  “ Splendid I guess this is were we will be separating. Come along Zora. We have to get back to your friend.” Zora, for the small span of time had completely forgotten that Hermione was there with them. She instantly felt bad and nodded her head.

                  “ You all behave yourselves now.”

                  The two girls rode back to where they had left Hermione just in time to see the girl wake up. Before Tonks had left to go search for her missing charge, she gave Hermione a drought for the sickness and put a protection spell around the area. After getting over most of her sickness Hermione thought it would be a good time to practice her magic. She remembered seeing Zora do a trick once. She opened and closed a flower blossom. Hermione had never been able to accomplish it fully. She barely got twitch at the most and it was frustrating. Never had she…failed. Learning and executing what she had learned it was like breathing for her.

                  Zora laughed when she got frustrated…said that it was a good thing. It would make her try harder. She didn’t appreciate the teasing one bit. Hermione Jean Granger did not do failure. It just didn’t happen. Hermione stared at the flower, almost in a glare. She was determined to get this. She held out right hand and took a deep breath. She was going to do it this time. She could feel it.

                  “ Hermione we need to leave.”

                  “ Just a moment Tonks, I think—“

                  “ Hermione, it’s important.”

                  “ Zora, I’ve almost got it—“

                  “ You can practice later, I need to talk to my grandfather.”  Hermione huffed, as she her hand collapsed onto her lap. The moment was gone. Her focus was broken. “Fine. Let’s go.”

                  Zora could see that she wasn’t happy but the reason for their departure was truly important. She needed to figure out a way to correct her family’s mistake. Surely her grandfather would agree.

                  They apparated to the McQueen estate and were quickly ushered into the mansion by house-elves. Mimsy order two house-elves to get Tonks and Hermione something to eat and drink while she guided Zora to her grandfather’s study. She walked in him at his desk. Writing furiously with his quill against the parchment. Mimsy announced their presence.

                  “Ah, Zora. This is a surprise, how did you get here?”

                  “ Tonks apparated me and a friend here but that’s not important. We need to talk grandfather.” Clueless, Reginald just guided her to a sit that was sitting before his desk.

                  “ I think that this conversation would be better if it were to be had...alone.” Zora glanced from Mimsy to Reginald and Reginald politely dismissed the elderly house-elf.

                  “ Now what is that you want to talk about Zora.”

                  “ The house elves.”

                  “ The house-elves?”

                  “ We need to find a way to set them free.” Reginald sighed as he sat back into his chair. He had gone over this same question with himself hundreds of times. He took off his spectacles and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Everything that he had come up with had ended up in a hypothetical disaster. When he sat back up he looked at his granddaughter.

                  “ What exactly do you suggest Zora? You very well know that they won’t take this lightly. I don’t want a mutiny on my hands.”

                  “ Well…I was think…maybe we could…I don’t know….get a teacher for them. Or something. Get them learning about the world and what not.” Zora was making this up as she went. “ Make it a chore or something.”

                  “ A chore you say…hm…” Reginald thought about it, it was an intriguing idea. Trick them into learning? It sounded underhanded but what else could they do?

                  “ Yeah, like give them homework and assessments and stuff. It would still be working and it wouldn’t have to take all of the day jus a few hours each day.” The more she spoke the more Reginald liked the idea. It was just crazy enough…but the only problem is…who would teach them?

                  “ I mean we have enough space for all the house-elves to be in the same room all we would need is a professor. Which I know is possibly problematic because….”

                  “ They are house-elves. An uneducated house-elf is a good house-elf…” It was something that he himself didn’t necessarily believe but he knew plenty of wizards that thought that. Who would be willing to teach a house-elf? And then Reginald got an idea.

                  “ Zora, I think that I might be able to pull this off but I will not be sure until I get in contact with an old friend of your fathers.” Zora smiled, she started to get from her chair until he spoke again.

                  “ Zora, what brought this on? This all seemed to have come out of nowhere from you.” He saw her stiffen a little and she slowly slouched back down.

                  “ I…well I was taking Luca out for a ride and there was this group…they were on broomsticks zooming and they nearly hit me and Luca. Luca reared and I lost my grip and fell off. One of the boys one the broom saved…technically. We fell to the ground and I lost consciousness.” She saw his eyes widen but quickly added “ I woke up after a minute and saw Luca encased in fire. I managed to calm him down though. The boy that saved me broke his leg and I didn’t really feel about it because it was his and another boys fault in the first place. Anyways…we were just about to leave to get help until I saw a bloody house-elf limp out of a bush. It was so awful grandfather. He looked like he was going to die and then the others were just standing around doing nothing. They looked at me like I was mental. They were awful grandpa, absolutely awful. A girl started in on me about you and how you aren’t any different and of course I tried to defend you but what I was defending…didn’t make sense. I felt sick to my stomach when I finally figured it out. Our family has slaves not servants. Intentional or not isn’t right. There isn’t excuse or defense for that. It’s wrong and we need to fix it.”

                  For a moment Reginald forgot that Zora was only 10 going on eleven. She had the intelligence of someone well beyond her years. A proud smile graced his lips. “ You’re right darling…you are absolutely right. We will fix this, it will be hard but we will give it our best. ”

                  Zora nodded her head and made her way back to Hermione and Tonks. Reginald sat back in his chair and thought for a moment. Who would be willing to teach house elves? There was a man that might help…a friend of his son’s…what could it hurt?

He took out a fresh piece of parchment and dipped his quill in the ink.

                  Dearest Remus,

      I hope that this letter finds you in good health as I have a most unusual request to ask of you…

w65;DMw65;

        Traveling back to the mansion Draco’s mood only seemed to worsen. The constant chattering from Pansy, the inane grumblings of Crabbe and Goyle, the small clattering of the pebbles within Theodore’s hands but none of that seemed to anger him as much as Blaise’s silence. His overall presence at that very moment seemed to peeve him off more than anything. What was he thinking about? Draco glanced quickly at him and then continued to stare frontward.

                  The whole episode went from good to bad to worst thing possible so quickly. It a freaking accident! Why couldn’t that stupid girl see that? Why did she have to be so difficult? The look of distain in her eyes it was slightly cringe worthy. This only seemed to anger him more. Where did she get off? She was no better than them! Her family had kept house elves for as along as his had, perhaps for even longer. How dare she stick her nose up at them? House elves were bred to serve wizards, it was the natural way of things. That was what God intended after. Within the wizard community it was commonly accepted knowledge that Jesus was the greatest wizard of all time, quickly seconded by Merlin of course. Walking on water? Changing water into wine? No one could convince Draco that a simple muggle could accomplish all that.

                  “ Could you believe her? Little miss mental-break-down trying to come up against us? For a stupid house-elf no less? Mental, she’s completely mental. Don’t you agree Draco?”

                  “ Yeah…mental…” Draco was tired of this. He didn’t want to even think about Zora McQueen.

                  “ She’s something though…there’s fire in her. I wouldn’t want to meet her by myself. She looked like she was ready to pounce or something. Bit feral like you know.” Theodore said absentmindedly.

                  “ It’s like she was raised by wolves or something. That thing was going to attack us! And she was going to allow it!” Pansy screeched.

                  “But she didn’t.” Blaise pointed out.

                  The entire group stopped and stared at him.

                  “ Whose side are you on Zabini? She is the daughter of Samson McQueen, a freaking Gryffindor!”

                  “ Just pointing out facts Parkinson.” Blaise said calmly.

                  “ And she’s the reason why your leg had to be mended. That girl is nothing by trouble.”

                  “ Enough, I’m bored with this conversation. There are plenty of other things more interesting than Zora Lilian McQueen.” Draco said gruffly as began to walk again.

                  The rest of the trip was quiet, but Malfoy could fill a pair of eyes staring at the back of his head. Part of him thought it was Pansy but there was something in his gut that it was Blaise. He seemed to have a knack for picking out the smallest details, important or otherwise. Draco didn’t know whether or not to trust Blaise Zabini, he could very wail become a great ally…but in the same breath could his worst enemy. Either way he would keep his eye on Blaise Zabini.

                  The children made their way into the Malfoy Manor silently. The sounds of talking could be heard down the long hallway. From the differences in tones it was a mix of females as well as males. The Crabbes, Goyles, Parkinsons, Notts and Zabini the widow were in all in attendance. A “summer gathering” as Narcissa Malfoy would say. Without asking permission, the young Malfoy boy walked into the room, the others treading behind him. 

                  The adults continued to talk, unconsciously bringing them into their conversation. Lucius took a sip of his drink, watching Narcissa bring Draco to her side on the couch.“ This year is an important year in our children’s lives. It marks the great right of passage for every young witch and wizard.”

                  “ It would be more momentous if that blasted Dumbledore would do what he should’ve done from start: Getting rid of those imposters.” Affirming nods could be seen throughout the room.

                  “ I have a half a mind to send my boy somewhere else, Hogwarts has gone to the dogs.” Xavier Nott exclaimed, throwing back his drink. A bit of fire whiskey always did the body good.

                  “ And leave the school of our lord? Have you become so arrogant and unfaithful Nott?” Elise Parkinson asked in a coquettish fashion, she liked to tease Nott because he made it so easy.  The smile on her face was nothing short of Cheshire proportions.

                  “ Shut your gob woman, there is no one more faithful to the dark lord as I am.” Xavier huffed. “ You’d do well to control your wife Maris. If the dark lord were here…”

                  “ But that’s thing the Marius isn’t it? ” The causal smile across his face only served to make Marius even angrier, “ He isn’t here. He has been gone for some time now. I believe we have a greater matter to attend to.”

                  Xavier took another sip of his fire-whiskey and then set it down on his knee. He looked around the room slowly. “ The boy.”

                  The silence that fell could be felt throughout the room, the grown ups more so than the children. They had no real concept of what happened 11 years ago. All they had were just stories and whispers. The adults however, knew everything. The boy…the babe that defeated their master was going to be attending Hogwarts.

                  “ Yes…the boy…the Potter boy…such an interesting tale. I’ve heard so many rumors from that night. All of them more interesting than the last.” Jacqueline Zabini always had a love of stories be they true or false it really didn’t matter to her. “ People think that he could be the next powerful wizard of our time. He certainly made an impression upon the wizarding community.”

                  “ Personally I think the best course of action is to find this boy and assimilate him to our way life. Being raised by muggles, I can only imagine the ideas that are inside that boy’s head. He needs proper guidance.” Elise Nott she took another sip of her tea. “ How does Dumbledore expect that boy to survive with a proper wizard sense?”

                  “ Albus Dumbledore is past his prime both physically and intellectually. I honestly believe that whatever clout he has at the Ministry is the only reason why he still has his job as headmaster.” Marius said gruffly, he finished off his drink and put it on the closest surface next to him.

                  “ Anyone who willfully discounts Albus’s influence and magical prowess is a fool.” Lucius said aloofly. While alive Albus Dumbledore was a threat, a very potent threat. He counted down the days until the old codger would die off…or better yet was killed.

                  “ Lucius is right, even though I don’t like the man one cannot underestimate him.” Narcissa looked at her son and saw his clothes. There was quite a bit of dirt on clothes, even more so on the young Zabini boy.

                  “ Draco…why are you and Blaise so dirty? I asked you to keep clean for today.” Draco tried to stop himself from tensing too much. He didn’t want to talk about what happened in the meadow. He knew it would only cause trouble for him later.

                  “ It’s nothing mother…it was a bit of rough housing is all.”

                  “ Draco…”

                  “ If I may Mrs. Malfoy, it was a bit more than that.” All focus made it’s way to the young Parkinson girl. If there was a moment where Draco wished he could transport himself into an active volcano this would have been it.

                  “ You see, we had a bit of an incident in the meadow. We were playing and then…” Pansy trailed off, tried her best to hide the mischievous glint in her eye. Seeing the concerned looked on the adults faces she figured she did a well enough job.

                  “ Yes child, continue.” Narcissa said a little impatiently.

                  “ Well, this girl came galloping on some wild beast and nearly knocked poor Draco and Blaise off their broomsticks.” She looked down at her knees and played with the fabric of her dress. “ When everyone landed I was able to get a better look at the girl…and it was none other than Zora McQueen. I really should’ve recognized her sooner but I…well…we all were in such a state of shock and worry that it just didn’t click.”

                  Narcissa looked at Draco and then to her husband. Her facial expressions were neutral but her eyes were blazing.

                  “ Zora McQueen…isn’t that Samson’s girl…? I remember reading something in the Daily Prophet some months ago about her.”

                  “ Yes, the girl had a complete and utter mental breakdown towards the end of dinner. And that’s not even the half of it.”

                  “ Quite the embarrassment as I recall. Reynold was absolutely livid when it went to print.” Xavier chuckled a bit.

                  “ The McQueens are known for their dramatic outbursts does it really come as a surprise?” Lucius tried to defuse the situation. He saw the thinning of his wife’s lips. No doubt when the others left, her deep feelings about the McQueens would come out.

                  “ But what was she doing on our lands? There isn’t a reason for her to even know about them…” Narcissa thought aloud. Living in the Black household she was taught from birth to always keep her emotions in check. While her outward appearance showed nothing, her internal rage was beginning to brew.

                  “There was another girl, older, had some crazy colored hair. I think that she was supposed to be keeping an eye on Zora. I think her name was Toms…” Pansy spoke up again.

                  “ No, it was Tonks. I remember because I couldn’t help thinking it was such an odd name for girl…” Theodore interjected. He sat back into his seat when he saw Narcissa eyes widen and glisten slightly. Her clenched and with a grace she had always been complimented on, quickly excused herself from the room.

                  Lucius cleared his throat and clap his hands as he stood up, “I think…this affair has come to an end my friends. Thank you all for coming.” It was the closest thing to ‘get out’ that he could use without being completely rude.

                  The adults in the room silently nodded. They set down the teacups and glasses and grasped for their children’s hand. Aparating out of the room all that was left was a father and mildly confused son.

                  “ Father…”

                  “ Draco…go to your room. I must tend to your mother.” Draco had never seen his father act in such away. So exhausted. Instead of fighting with him on it, like he usually would’ve done, Draco quietly went to his room. The last thing he heard before going up the stairs was his father barking at a random house-elf to clean up the room.

                  When Lucius made it to the master bedroom, he saw his wife sitting on the windowsill. She was looking out towards the valley. Lucius opened his mouth to speak but was cut off when he heard Narcissa’s voice,

                  “ I never thought I would’ve heard the name ‘Tonks’ said aloud in this house. Especially by a ten year old boy.”

                 She didn’t look at him. She couldn’t look at him. Not when everything inside her was suddenly drawn to the valley that was so close to mansion. Tonks…it was the last name of the muggle-born wizard her older sister married. So much strife was caused in the Black family when Andromeda ran off with him. Andromeda been blasted off the family tree by their father. And was never mentioned again by their mother. Bella…cursed Andromeda…spat out the name whenever she decided to talk about her. Andromeda…the blood-traitor.

                  Narcissa never voiced her opinion on the matter. There was no was no easy way to explain her emotions. All that she really knew was that when her sister disappeared…it hurt her deeply. She felt abandoned.

                  Lucius slowly walked up to his wife and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. He looked at her face and sighed, “ Narcissa…dearest…I thought we talked about this. The past is in the past. It’s not prudent to dig it up.”  

                  At that she tensed up slightly. She grinned darkly, still not looking at him. “ But the past is just so difficult to let go of…especially when it’s still very much alive and present.” 

                  “Narcissa…” Lucius gripped her shoulder slightly. He had been hoping to avoid this.

                  “ That girl was on our lands Lucius. If it was anyone else…if she was anyone else’s…”

                  “ Technically she wasn’t. While this family owns much of the surrounding land the valley that Draco and his friends were playing around at is not ours. There is nothing I could’ve done.”

                  Narcissa shrugged his hand off her shoulder and stood up to him, “ Like that has ever stopped you before Lucius. You’ve hexed people for less.”

                  It was the same fight over and over again. This grudge drained on him, on them. Finally he had had enough.“ What can I do Narcissa? What can I do to heal this apparent offense I’ve dealt you? Do you want me to buy the valley? Done. Do you want me to tell Draco spit at the girl? Hm? Because that might cause a stir and you would never get rid of Samson then.”

                  “ What I want is for you to do thing that should’ve already been done. Let. Her. Go.” Each word was accompanied by poke to his chest. “ That is all I ever wanted from you Lucius and you refuse to give it to me.”

            “ I don’t know what you are talking about Narcissa.”

            “ Do you think that I am blind Lucius? That I don’t know what goes on under my own roof?” The laughter that came out of her mouth held no joy in it. “ Merlin’s beard, you’ve even infected our son with it. This obsession. The only difference between the two of you is that he seems to have gotten over it.”

            “ Narcissa…”

            “ I am tired Lucius, please leave. I wish to rest alone for a while.” Knowing that he wouldn’t have won if they had continued Lucius stiffly nodded his head and walked out of the room.

The sound of the door closing shut signaled the release of the floodgates on Narcissa emotions. She dropped herself onto the bed and her hand over her mouth. She closed her eyes and felt few small tears slide down her face. Quickly wiping them away she changed her clothes into something more comfortable and laid on the bed.

She stared at the canopy that surrounded the outside of the bedframe. She didn’t know how exhausted she was until her head had hit the pillow.

What was the quaint muggle saying about history? Ah yes…

Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat.

Maybe such thinking wasn’t so quaint after all.