Dudley's head snapped up and he stared at Harry long enough to make Harry want to shuffle his feet and look away. Harry held his ground though; the last thing he wanted was to look weak in front of Dudley. After what seemed a lifetime to both men, Dudley finally spoke, and what he said shocked Harry to the core.

"I guess I feel a bit lost and a lot scared, Potter. I've never been on my own before. Mum and Dad have always been there for me. Now Dad's gone, and Mum's...well, Mum needs me to be there for her now. She's depending on me and I'm not sure I can be what she needs." Dudley said, his voice quivering.

Harry was speechless; Dudley had never spoken to him like that. Actually, Harry couldn't remember Dudley speaking like that to anyone, ever. Harry wasn't sure how to respond to this; so he just stared, his mouth hanging slightly open.

"It's ok, Potter." Dudley said, breaking the silence, "I know you were expecting a different reaction from me. I just don't have the need to act that way towards you anymore. Don't get me wrong, the magic thing still freaks me out, but you came back to help us. Even after all the crap we did to you, you came back to help us. I realized you'd saved me before; it just took me a long time to understand that's what you had actually done for me though. I don't think I would have, though, if I hadn't of had to think about why you would even bother to come back and help us. I still don't understand that, but I'm grateful you did."

Seeing an opportunity that he couldn't pass up, Harry interrupted Dudley. "Look, Dudley; I know how your parents, and you feel about me. Even so, there was no way I could stand back and do nothing. You were attacked by those people because they thought I lived there. No one, not even the three of you, deserves what they wanted to do to you."

"I'm not sure how Mum feels about you now, but I don't think you're a freak that I should hate anymore. I doubt we'll ever be friends, but I can respect you now, Potter. Anyone who did what you did for us, after all the hell we gave you growing up, well you've more than earned my respect. If Mum doesn't see it right away, I'll talk with her."

"It's ok, Dudley, no need to bother. I've come to respect my nephew as well." Petunia said, shocking both Dudley and Harry. Neither one had realized that she had awoken and was listening to them. "I need to thank you, Harry, if you hadn't have come to help, I'm sure all three of us would have died, not just Vernon."

"I'm sorry about Uncle Vernon; I wish I had gotten there sooner to help him as well." Harry said. He was still mentally beating himself up for leaving the mirror in his bag when they got home from the wedding.

"It's not your fault, Harry. It is Vernon's fault that he's dead. Those men popped into the house and instead of being quiet like they demanded, he started yelling at them. He kept getting louder after every time they, oh what did Lily call it? Hax...no, hex! Yes, that was it. Every time they hexed Vernon, he just yelled, and demanded that they leave. They kept telling him to keep his mouth shut if he wanted to live, he just wouldn't listen." Petunia explained. Harry conjured a handkerchief, and handed it to her so she could wipe away her tears.

Harry took a deep breath. Even though both his Aunt, and cousin had been so civil; he was sure neither of them would welcome the news he was about to give them. Letting out the breath, Harry started to explain, "I'm glad you're awake, there's something the three of us need to discuss. Professor McGonagall has determined that your house is not safe enough for you to return to." Harry put his hand up to forestall his Aunt from interrupting him, "No, there's more I'm afraid. Even if you could go to your home, you can't leave yet. Madam Pomfrey said that both of you still need to recover. In fact, from what she explained to me, I'm surprised you're even awake, Aunt Petunia." Harry continued to explain everything that Madam Pomfrey had told him about both Dudley's and Petunia's conditions, and what all she felt they would need to do to recover.

Petunia and Dudley sat in silence for a long while trying to absorb all the new information. Harry sat quietly as well, knowing that they had a lot to process.

He was lost in thought himself, and was shocked when Hermione had come up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Harry, but Professor McGonagall and Snape are outside. They need to speak with you."

Smiling to his friend, Harry replied, "Thank you, Hermione. Tell them I'll be right there." He then looked to his Aunt and said, "I'll be right back, unless you'd like me to come back at another time. I know I've given you a lot to think about, and you'll need time to think about what you want to do."

"Quite right, Harry. As you said, I won't be going any where any time soon. I'll have plenty of time to think. I don't care how much we don't like it here, this seems to be the safest place for us, and so Dudley will be staying as well. Your Madam Pomfrey is right; it should be good for both of us to experience the good side of your world. You don't know how sorry I am, that I let my jealousy of my younger sister blind me for so long. You go on, Harry. Take care of what ever it is they need you for, we will see you in a few days." Petunia said, giving Harry a smile that he had only seen her give Dudley. It warmed him in a way he didn't know he needed. It was with a lighter heart that Harry left the Hospital Wing.

*~~*~~*

The Trio quickly made their way down to the kitchens after speaking to Snape and McGonagall, hoping to find Winky there. Once inside the door they were surrounded by the usual amount of excited Elves wanting to do anything they could do to help. After they agreed to a snack, the Elves finally let them get in their questions.

"Do any of you know where Winky is? I'd like to offer her a job, possibly a new family to help." Harry asked looking around the kitchen for any sign of the diminutive Elf.

Upon hearing whom Harry was interested in talking to, most of the House-Elves scattered off to their normal jobs, not wanting anything to do with the free Elves. Luckily, Dobby was there, and able to assist Harry.

"Oh! Harry Potter sir! Dobby can help, Winky is right this way," Dobby squeaked, bouncing up and down in his excitement for his friend Winky. Dobby knew that Winky didn't want to be a free Elf. That she wanted to be bonded to a family once again. Dobby was secretly hoping this would help out his friend. She hadn't been drinking as much as she had right after she came to Hogwarts; but she was never happy and made Dobby hurt for his friend.

Dobby lead the group over to the fireplace where Winky was stirring a pot. Her appearance looked better. She was no longer drunk, and her clothes were clean. She looked up as they reached her side, realizing who was there she gave Hermione such a nasty look that Ron couldn't help but chuckle.

Ignoring Ron, Harry squatted down so he could be at eye level with Winky. "Winky, I know you're not happy here. I was wondering if you'd like to come work for me. I'd even be willing to bond with you, if that's what you prefer. You'd have a house to take care of, and at least the three of us to look after. I know how well you took care of your last master. Even to this day you keep his secrets. I'd be honored if you could do, well not the exact same for me, but...well you'd never be bored I'll leave it at that for now. So what do you say, Winky, would you like that?"

Winky looked between Harry, Ron, and Hermione; then leveled her gaze strictly at Harry. "What Harry Potter is offering sounds like a dream come true. Alls Winky has ever wanted was to be bonded to a family she could take good care of. But, Winky is afraid she can't take the wonderful offer Harry Potter has given her. Winky does have her own convictions on what is right for us House-Elves. Winky is sorry but Winky can't bond with Harry Potter if it means working with her."

Harry was shocked. He'd never heard an Elf get snarky before, but the venom that was in her tone when Winky said ‘her', well, it was very clear how Winky felt about Hermione and S.P.E.W. "That's ok, Winky. Thank you for hearing me out. I hope you can find some happiness. If you ever change your mind let Dobby know, he can get in touch with me." The trio left quickly after that, they noticed Hermione was getting dirty looks from all around.

Once the kitchen door shut behind them, Harry and Ron burst out laughing. Hermione was not happy; she stalked off towards the Headmistress' office in a huff. Noticing this a few minutes later, Harry and Ron ran after her yelling for her to wait up. They finally caught up with her right as they reached the Gargoyle.

"Look, Hermione, I know we shouldn't have laughed at you," Harry said as he was trying to catch his breath. Ron interrupted Harry before he could go on, and said, "Now do you see, Hermione? Most House-Elves don't want to be free. We've already established that Dobby is just weird, almost mental even. When you did your research for Spew, did you even bother to find out their past? Did you bother to research how they came to be bonded to wizarding families?"

"As interesting as this conversation is, would the three of you mind finishing it up in my office?" Professor McGonagall said scaring the teens. "I'm sick of hearing the guardian wards go off in my office. That blasted bell charm Albus had Filius install can get very annoying. I also believe I can contribute to this little argument of yours, Miss Granger, you might find this information enlightening."

McGonagall waited until everyone was seated and each had cups of tea, she could tell the three teens needed something to soothe their rumpled feelings, before she continued, "Now, let me guess. Mr. Potter spoke to Winky about coming to work for him, and she refused because of Miss Granger here. Does that about sum it up?" Seeing the nods she continued, "Mr. Weasley had a very good question. Did you research just how the bonds between the wizarding families and the House-Elves started? Or did you just assume that because wizards were stronger, they enslaved the Elves without consent?"

Hermione was stunned, "I...uh...that is, well, well no, I didn't research that far back. I only looked into how they were treated. After what Mr. Crouch did to Winky, it just seemed so cruel; I didn't understand how he could treat her like that. I'm afraid that the more I looked into their treatment, the less I could stand it. I started S.P.E.W. and never got further into my research." Hermione was very upset with herself. It was very rare for her to run off on a tangent like that with out extensive research.

"Well, it seems a history lesson is needed. The bond between the House-Elves and Wizards goes all the way back to Merlin's time. You see, while House-Elf magic is very powerful now, it wasn't always so. It's said that Merlin himself saw the torment these poor creatures had to endure and offered a bond with them. In exchange for the Elves help with their families needs, the wizarding families would keep them safe in their own homes; always providing for the Elves needs, just as the Elves would for the families. The unjust treatment you have witnessed in Dobby, and what you perceived to be unjust treatment of Winky is unfortunate; and while there are some cases like theirs, most of the Elves are happy in their situations. Proud of how strong they have become because of the bonds created centuries ago. They would lose that strength if they gained what you would call freedom. That is why the Hogwarts House-Elves do not like Dobby and Winky. To them, those two are making all House-Elves weaker, that is not something they appreciate. So, Miss Granger, do you see now why Winky wants nothing to do with you?" McGonagall watched their reactions, she could tell Hermione would need some time to digest all the information she had been given; but McGonagall was positive that Hermione would do the right thing in the end.

"I see, Professor. Thank you for the lesson. I shall try to make it up to the Elves in some way. I just hope they let me." Hermione said, her voice weak from the realizations she had just been given.

"Professor?" Harry questioned, "Where did Snape go? I thought we were supposed to meet him back up here?"

"Ah, well, Severus thought that you were taking too long. He said he had some important research to start, and for me to send the three of you back to the house when you ‘decided to quit playing around'." She repeated while rolling her eyes at Severus' statement. "So, if that's all then I suggest you be on your way. Merlin help you if you go home to an upset Potions Master."

"Wait, Minerva. Do not send them on their way just yet. I do believe there was a box of papers and books that I had left on the table near my person bookshelf, could you retrieve that and give it to Miss Granger. I do believe this will help fill the void in her hunt for knowledge," said Professor Dumbledore from his portrait. His eyes were just as bright as they ever were in life. "I had started this research years ago, just a bit over 15 years ago in fact, right after we found Harry alive in the wreckage at Godric's Hollow. Harry, I do believe you will find this box interesting as well, considering it deals with just what went on that fateful night, and how you survived. Ah, thank you, my dear Minerva. Now, I will leave the four of you to say your goodbyes. Just remember, I'm here if you need any questions answered." Dumbledore said, and then looked specifically to Harry, "And I do mean any questions." After one of his knowing smiles, Albus just stood up and left his portrait.

McGonagall tsked a few times as she shook her head, "I hate when he does that. One of these days he's going to find himself stuck in that frame with no chance of escape." The teens couldn't help but laugh at the exasperated tone McGonagall had. "Very well then, I do believe you should head on home then. Unless there was something else you needed? No? Stay safe then."

Ron held out the box for Hermione to lighten and shrink, and then stuck it in his pocket once she was finished. They waved good-bye, and quickly left the office and made their way out of the school. Harry stopped them right after they passed Hagrid's hut to ask, "Do we need anything? If so, we might as well make a quick stop in Hogsmeade to get it."

"I am low on Chocolate Frog's, do you mind if we went into Honeydukes? I really don't want to have to deal with Snape and not have any chocolate handy." Ron said, his voice getting whinier by the second. Hermione rolled her eyes, but agreed to make a short trip to the candy store. To avoid trouble, they quickly applied the glamours they had used previously. They quickly made their way to Honeydukes and each loaded their arms with enough candy to last them for a while. They wanted to be armed against the gloom and doom that was their house-mate, Severus Snape.

As they walked out of the shop, Harry did a painful double take and went pale. Noticing this, Hermione turned back to her friend, "Harry, are you ok?"

"I...uh...I'm not sure. I swear I just saw Dumbledore. But how can that be?" Harry turned to Hermione, he was visibly shaken. "Let's get back home, I don't want to be out anymore." Harry said, just barely waiting for nods from his friends before he strode off to the Apparate.