Severus firecalled Tom with recent events – the fiasco with Buckbeak and then the boy's adventure in the tunnel, leading to the brief confrontation with Black. Tom listened with tightened lips, his anger further fueled by Yvane's angry muttering.

Tom looked around the Reserve library he'd walked to as he thought. He'd won over the present librarian and they now were working together on renovations. The librarian – Rory – had a lot of contacts on other reserves of course and they were finalizing plans for expansion and supplies they would be needing.

Rory looked at Tom's morose face and Tom found himself explaining Black's breaking into Hogwarts of all places. Rory nodded sympathetically, "Yeah have any ideas about what to do?" He asked, knowing Tom likely did.

"Yes, but it may mean I have to leave for a time." Tom answered slowly "We're making progress on the library … people here are depending on me as well – we just got the orphange going and Jack and Serifina are looking for children in need of rescue, now."

Jack Dorney had been a roommate of Tom's in Gryffindor and had been at a loss of what to do after Hogwarts – he'd thought he wanted to be an Auror along with Adrian Kirke. Jack had gone through the first year of training and then had quit, hating the paperwork and endless rounds of patrols waiting for something horrible to happen.

Serifina Abbott was Jack's fiance and had been Tom's first pick to start working on the orphanage. She was a Hufflepuff who had been attracted to the idea of the orphanage the moment Tom had announced it and was perhaps even more fanatical about 'saving magical children from the horrors of a muggle orphanage' than Tom was.

Serifina was not from one of the extremely wealthy or influential Abbott families, but she was – of course – related to them. She'd been interning in the family services area of the ministry, and had contacted Tom the moment she'd heard about the venture. Jack had been drafted to be her "assistant". Of the two Jack was the one that was adept at blending in with the muggle world and was really quite talented at tracking down people. He would likely do the actual extrication of the children from the orphanages when they were found as well.

With the lawyers and accountants overseeing them, they wouldn't need Tom's help – but it still felt like desertion.

"Harry needs you – the library is important, as is the orphanage – but Jack and Serifina can handle the orphange and Rory can implement the renovations to the library … You know what needs to be done to help Harry." Yvane's tone was rather too eager – he was hopeful for real action, Tom knew. Tom sighed, he was rather anxious for it as well.

Rory smiled rather knowingly. "Right now yer brother 'arry needs ya most." He chimed in. Rory's elderly Swedish Short-snout was likely telling him what needed to be said. The dragons were maipulating the entire lot of them, Tom guessed. Yvane remained smugly silent, knowing he'd gotten his way.

Tom nodded and made his way to Yuan's office. The director had a resigned look on his face. Yao had talked him into Yvane's plan already, then.

Hazelette charged over, still chewing and swallowing the last bite of her morning deer. "I can still get deer at Hogwarts, can't I? … there's that forest, there, as I recall … I was there a century or so ago, for some important goings on at the place … my rider had all those younglings learning magic there ..." Hazelette was talking – likely to either Yao or Yvane.

Tom and Yvane remained silent, as the dragon didn't seem to need an actual answer, while Yuan had Headmaster Dumbledore come through the floo and out to the courtyard. He eyed Tom and the dragon, mystified.

Yuan got straight to the point. "Hazelette wants to come to Hogwarts. The dragon's are quite protective of the occupants of the Reserve and they are concerned about Harry, in particular the dragon Yv... um Hazelette." Yuan cut himself off before he could say Yvane – he had forgotten for a moment that Albus did not know of him. "She is older and quite harmless to children … and she would be quite protective, and like all dragons – she could sniff out Sirius Black if he was nearby. She would also be quite good at scaring off any dementor that invaded Hogwarts grounds … I'm surprised you've been able to keep them from the children for this long."

"Tom will be accompanying her, I take it?" Albus smiled at Tom's eager nod. "Well, Hagrid will be pleased ..." He muttered. "Which reminds me … we need to borrow Heather Black, again … there has been an … incident with a hippogriff, and Kettleburn may be needing another assistant – though Tom could help as well." Albus told Yuan of the 'accident', with a sigh.

Tom left Yuan and Albus to work out the details about the dragon and Heather Black. Tom went straight to Dragonsrest, now finding himself a bit reluctant to leave the home he'd slowly learned to love. Rosemerta and Elizabeth, along with Petunia and Victoria were there, having just returned from the day school Tori and Beth attended.

Tom conjured some sparkling butterflies for the girls to chase – their newest favorite charm to badger Tom into casting for them. While the girls chased the butterflies Tom explained the happenings at Hogwarts and that he and Hazelette were going to go and hopefully protect Harry from Black - and all the children from the dementors.

Tom packed up what he thought he might need. It seemed strange to be packing for Hogwarts once again.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Albus reluctantly went back through the floo. The Governors meeting that was going on that day had broken for lunch, luckily – everyone was exhausted after hearing Madame Zabini's lengthy tirade regarding the incompetance of a certain teacher, the laxity of the Headmaster and the malice of Blaise's classmates for placing poor, beleagured Blaise in danger – after all, it could not be Blaise's fault for ignoring his teacher's instructions.

Having Lucius there had been of minimal help. The only reason Lucius had not seconded her suggestion to sack Professor Hagrid and execute Buckbeak was that he disliked Madame Zabini more than wanted to be rid of the hippogriff. It was only Monday – and the attack had occurred on Friday … not really long enough for Lucius' temper to cool over the whole thing.

The Headmaster had delivered a rather thundering lecture at breakfast that morning regarding safety. He'd said that those that ignored safety and endangered others deliberately would be dealt with harshly and repeat offenders would be expelled.

The meeting regarding Buckbeak had ended fairly well – it was decided, much to Madame Zabini's chagrin that Blaise and Neville had been at fault – but that the endangering of Harry and Draco had not be deliberate. Professor Hagrid would not be sacked, but he needed to have an assistant in the classes with dangerous creatures that could 'keep an extra pair of eyes on the students, and the beast, to ensure the safety of everyone'.

Buckbeak was another story, however. The Board of Governors was a bit split on the fate of the hippogriff. Madame Zabini had been shooed off when she started insisting on its disposal. The Board members had then eyed Lucius' stoney countenance and Albus' hopefully twinkling look and insistance that the beast would be fine with Hagrid watching over him – a miss-step in Albus' part since Hagrid had already proved he was rather incompetant at that.

The board had blathered a bit, while discussing under their breaths on how to not offend either of the wizards and finally rather brilliantly hit on a way to not make a decision at all. "We believe we should consult the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and go by their recommendation." one of them had chirped brightly – while looking at Lucius warily. Lucius grimaced and shrugged in agreement.

Albus had nodded with some relief – he would contact Amos Diggory and hope he could be swayed.

Hagrid then left, wringing his hands. Telling the Board that Buckbeak was a good hippogriff had seemed to not impress them, to his dismay. Lucius had mostly remained silent during Hagrid's plea, only saying he wanted no uncontrollable creatures interacting with the students – there were enough of them in the surrounding forest. He'd hoped that Draco's father would speak in favor of Buckbeak, but perhaps that had been overly wishful thinking.

Now, Albus needed to inform them that a dragon was coming to stay at Hogwarts for a bit. He ambled into the re-convened Governor's meeting as if he'd nothing more important to impart than Hagrid acquiring a new crup and tried for a smile as he sat at the head of the table.

"Well, I've good news regarding the security problem presented by Sirius Black." This got their attention, Albus noted – even Lucius' gaze sharpened, dropping his formerly grudgingly annoyed look. "The Welsh Dragon Reserve is lending us a dragon and Tom Riddle to help keep watch for the fugitive." The Governors all sat up straight – obviously intending to loudly object, but Albus held up a hand and kept speaking. "The dragon is Hazelette ..." Albus said quickly, and the Governors hesitated, looking at each other.

The Headmaster understood now why Tom and Yuan had picked Hazelette – she was likely the only dragon in the wizarding world that the Governors and parents would accept being on the schoolgrounds uncaged and with no restraints on her at all. Hazelette was now somewhat of an icon – the book about her 'defending the boy-who-lived against McNair the dastardly death eater' was now translated into almost every language. The Hazelette stuffed toy was present in almost every home with a wizarding child.

The parents of the students would accept that the elderly dragon was there to protect the children when they would have revolted at the suggestion of any other.

Lucius had relaxed at the mention of Hazelette – particularly when Tom would be with her … maybe the problem of Sirius Black would be taken care of and Heather Black could then offically become the head of the House of Black and several problems would be gone all at once, he mused.

The Governors nodded slowly in agreement as Albus continued "...she will also help keep the dementors in check, as dragonfire can actually kill dementors." at this the Governors gave a unanimus vote in favor of Hazelette and moved to more enjoyable topics – like next years Tri-wizard tournament.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Blaise had been planning furiously since the 'Buckbeak incident', Neville had been little help since his grandmother had arrived the day after it had occured and had publicly berated him … saying perhaps it would have been better if he'd been a squib, rather than a Slytherin who cared little for other's safety.

McGonagall and Sinistra had hustled her off soon after, leaving Neville devestated and quite embarrassed. It had had the odd effect of causing most of the other students to mostly forgive him the for the Buckbeak affair out of sympathy for his public chewing out from Madame Longbottom.

Blaise though, had to come up with something else, and remembered that if you are guilty and everyone knows it – turn the spotlight onto someone else.

Blaise and Neville sat at the tables for lunch, after eavesdropping on Hagrid and Professor Kettleburn and a few of the Governors who were breaking for lunch. They sat a lot closer to Malfoy and Potter than usual, and Neville was across from Hermione, who eyed him in surprise. Neville had been a bit distant this year, though he hadn't been impolite, either.

Neville sighed heavily as he served himself some chicken. "Poor Hagrid … he'll be devestated when they execute Buckbeak ..." The table fell silent.

Blaise nodded mournfully while Draco and Harry turned anxious eyes toward him. "Yes, I was wrong to not listen to Hagrid in class – but I would never kill off someone's pet just to get back for a scratched up arm ..."

The table – and some at nearby tables turned unhappy eyes on Draco and Harry. Dudley scowled at blaise while Ron looked around uncertainly.

"Draco and Harry don't have any say about what happens to the hippogriff." Dudley objected.

Blaise sneered, "Really? With one a Professor for a father and the other on the Board of Governors? And I suppose you didn't say anything to them about the hippogriff's fate?"

Draco hesitated, no he hadn't talked to Lucius about Buckbeak … expecting they would just send it away. He'd been enjoying all the girls oohing over his sling, and his injury was getting more severe with each retelling of the story.

"No." Draco said firmly. "I didn't, and I certainly hope they don't kill Buckbeak. I don't know why any of you would think that I would want that … I've always liked Hagrid ..." Draco was taken aback by the silent accusations in the other student's eyes, but tried to defend himself.

Harry and Draco left for the library, trailed by Dudley and Ron, leaving the others to whisper among themselves. Blaise sat back, satisfied that at least some of the student body now had someone else to vilify in the gossip mill.

Padma frowned, "Are they really going to kill the hippogriff?"

Pavarti looked uncertain and Mafalda looked troubled. "In the muggle world a vicious dog who tried to kill certainly might be … I suppose it would be the same with other animals as well. Do they have laws about it here – if they do we can't really blame Draco for them following the law."

Hermione frowned, anything to do with enslavers like the Malfoys and Snape were a sore topic for her at present. She'd not been able to find much in the law books in the library – nothing that could free the enslaved house elves. It was maddening, especially with the other students listening to Draco's 'explanation' that it was perfectly alright and some sort of 'magically legal punishment'.

"I did hear that Mr. Malfoy was furious … I'm sure that he wouldn't just let Buckbeak off the hook for injuring Draco." Hermione said primly.

The listening students – at several tables - nodded. Yes, Malfoy Senior had a lot of pull, and was unlikely to forgive an assault on his son.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Voldemort drifted along the road through Upper Flagley. It was well after midnight and he was curious as to what prey he could obtain tonight. He was getting much stronger, lately, now that he had magical people to draw from. Magical animals could only do so much – and they did not give one a human look. He could now make himself more substantial at times – enough to accost and drain a witch or wizard. He only needed to do that once a month – it took that long to assimilate another wizard's magic.

He'd been careful to go after those who would not be missed – the philandering wizard who had 'taken off' with younger witches several times in the past – his livid wife was sure that he done so again when he didn't return after a weekend 'off with the boys'.

The very, very elderly witch who had reached the age of 178 years was also not seen as a possible murder. He simply overcome her in her sleep and drained her of magic - people shook their heads and said she had 'lived a long, full life'. She'd been rather strong even at her age he mused – she might have almost reached that 200 year mark that everyone seemed to aim for.

It had taken him time to find this small village. He didn't want to frighten them into growing wary … or into calling in Aurors. He chafed at the restrictions, but he was still looking for the Crouch residence. He knew Barty had come from here, he wasn't sure if Barty was dead, or not. He had tried to follow events, but in his wandering he lost track of who was dead or imprisoned.

He listened at windows, hoping someone would mention the Crouchs, so far no luck. He wandered to the local pub and watched and listened for hours. Finally a nicely inebriated wizard left, shouting that he couldn't visit his cousin for any longer 'he needed to get back to London, but he would visit again after the holidays'. Perfect – he wouldn't be missed for a long time – weeks or months, maybe.

Voldemort wandered back to Riddle Manor by morning, feeling much better. He'd heard talk of the Crouches at last – he'd heard that Crouch senior rarely came back to the village for holidays. That they didn't expect to see him this year, either. Whispers about how his wife had died of a long illness, but the house-elf still seemed to be quite busy cooking and cleaning for … someone … perhaps a mistress?

Voldemort grinned a bit – as much as an insubstantial mouth would … perhaps the house-elf was keeping guard on a wayward son?

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Peter twitched unhappily in his cage. Every time he tried to make a run for it he was blocked. Seti watched him with baleful eyes, just waiting for him. He'd had to transform back into a human the last time, to escape the mau cat – and nearly been caught by Dean Thomas.

The few times he made it by Seti – or when Seti was with Dudley Ginny's kneazle awaited him or Pavarti's Burmese lurked in unexpected places. The three seemed to have every feline in the castle alerted to him – he could never get further that the hallway outside Gryffindor before having to run for his life back to his cage.

He couldn't stay here – either Remus would finally see him and tell the world he was alive or Sirius would get in and kill him. He chewed on some cheese and tried to plan, but he was quickly running out of ideas – he was trapped in his rat form and he could not get through the castle as a man without being seen by someone – even a portrait could spot him and reveal that to the Headmaster and all would be lost.

He sighed and curled up for a nap, perhaps staying as a rat for a bit longer was best …

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Draco slowly made his was to Hagrid's hut, Harry and Dudley walking silently with him. But Draco walked up the steps and knocked on the door, himself. He wavered a bit when the half-giant answered the door and looked at him with a bit of hostility.

"Hagrid, I'm sorry about Buckbeak – I swear, I don't want him dead – I'll tell father that – beg him to tell the governors to spare him ..." Draco spoke rapidly, hoping his old friend would believe him.

Hagrid's shoulders fell and his face fell, "Ah, I know that – come on in ya three." They all went into the hut and gathered around the table. Hagrid puttered around with his tea set and then finally sat down as well. "Buckbeak hasn't been sentenced as yet – an' yer father didn't call for his death … 'e just didn't speak against it. Twas' Zabini's mum that wanted 'im killed. They're waitin' for the ministry people ta' decide. I expect Amos Diggory'll be 'ere in a day or to to have a look-see and decide. The Governors aren't the ones who'll decide it all."

"Then we have a chance, then … Cedric can write his dad – tell him everything – ask for leniency, to have Buckbeak sent to another herd, maybe." Harry said in relief.

Hagrid seemed disgruntled that Buckbeak might not stay with him – if he was spared the axe, mumbling that banishment was no treat, either.

"But he'll be alive – and still be with a hippogriff herd." Dudley said philisophically.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Tom arrived with Hazelette, and great fanfare – everyone wanted a look at the famous dragon who'd defeated a Death Eater. Her arrival cheered up Hagrid greatly and he was quite pleased to be providing her with her daily treat of a deer carcass. Tom was still paying for the deer, they would just be delivered to Hogwarts cold room instead of the Reserve.

Hazelette started her patrols immediately, horrifying Sirius who knew exactly why she was there – the morning paper had been full of the news of her taking up the defense of Hogwarts against him. Fudge had gleefully announced it - as if he'd thought of it or arranged it.

Soon after her arrival he'd moved his belongings, such as they were to one of the tunnels, only to find that it had been warded and turned into a trap. He checked several others to find the same thing. Remus had obviously sold him out.

In a moment of clarity he realized that Remus couldn't know that he hadn't betrayed James and Lily. Not to mention he'd insisted that Remus was the traitor. His self-loathing overwhelmed him for a time after remembering that, the nearness of the dementors making it all the worse.

Sirius managed to find a small cave deeper in the forest, perilously close to the centaurs. It took longer to get to the edge of Hogwarts to spy, but at the moment he wasn't sure it was a good idea to do that, anyway. He needed to think, and at least this new cave was far enough from old memories and the dementors so he could think clearly. He even remembered to eat more than once a day.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Draco held out until the day before Amos Diggory was due to arrive. He hated the thought of going to his father. He never went against what his father decided or believed in. It had come as a total shock when his father had admitted he'd been wrong in following the Dark Lord – that joining the Death Eaters had been a mistake.

The concept of his father being wrong was unheard of, but it was what kept him going today. If his father could be wrong about the Dark Lord, he could be wrong about taking such a hard line against Buckbeak.

Lucius still went home to Spinners End nights after 'lessons' with Professor Babbling and observing occasional History classes, unless there was a good reason. Last night Lucius had helped with 'keeping watch' on the tunnels and making rounds of Hogwarts and it's grounds. Draco went to the dungeon room that Lucius occupied on nights he stayed in the castle.

Harry and Dudley had offered to go with him. Luna had remarked that perhaps he should take a humdinger repellent with him, as they might be confusing his father. Harry had been amused and walked back to the Great Hall with her when Draco had declined their offer. Dudley went to the library to catch Padma – he hoped.

Draco knocked on the door and entered when his father answered. He shuffled his feet a little and finally met Lucius' curious eyes. "I don't want Buckbeak killed … it's just an animal acting the way it's supposed to – if Zabini and Longbottom had followed instructions everything would have been fine … it's not right to kill it."

Lucius listened to his son's anxious voice and then turned, walking to his desk, sorting through papers for a moment. He almost chuckled, it was a good thing he'd left the Dark Lord – Draco would have been hopeless as a Death Eater. If the initiation had not killed him his first assignment most likely would have. Though, it was not a bad thing, necessarily, to have a son less ruthless than himself.

Draco would likely go far, with friends like Harry and a brother like Dudley – not necessarily like Lucius had – gathering vast amounts of money and networking those in powerful postitions. Draco would find his own excellence and Lucius would not try to kill his dream like Abraxas had tried to kill Lucius'.

Lucius turned back to a nervous Draco. "I didn't actually ask for them to kill the hippogriff … but I didn't ask for mercy either." Lucius sighed. "I'll talk to Amos when he gets here – and I'm sure Severus will as well. We'll see if we can just get him moved."

Draco grabbed him in a fierce hug, breathing out loudly in relief. "Thanks, so much." Lucius laughed ruefully, he'd never hugged his own father that he could recall.

Draco raced off to the Great Hall, he was sure his father would take care of things, now. He joined Harry and Luna at breakfast, smiling happily for the first time in a week. The other students had not been overtly hostile, but he'd been met with troubled looks and some susupicion the last few days.

Blaise had wisely not said anything further – not wanting to draw attention back to himself or be accused of breaking the Slytherin code by backstabbing a fellow Slytherin more than he had already – that had earned him some angry snarling in the common room as it was.

Hermione viewed Draco's happiness with anger. "Found a way to kill another pet of someone's, Malfoy?", glaring at him.

Harry and Draco froze, hardly believing that she was openly accusing Draco. Draco gritted his teeth, insults and sneering answers fighting to get out. He managed to look at her cooly and answered fairly calmly. "No … but I did speak to my father – he's going to ask Mr Diggory if he'll just send Buckbeak to another herd." Draco resolutely kept his eyes on his plate, not trusting himself to not spit out insults at her if he looked at her.

A lot of eyes and ears were trained on the third year table, including Severus and Albus'. Albus was pleased that the younger Malfoy was obviously cut from a different cloth that his grandfather – or even his father, for that matter. Severus was only interested in the fact that Harry was obviously troubled at the thought of Buckbeak dying. He would have to through his opinion into the mix and persuade Amos to spare the hippogriff – a great pity – hippogriffs were very magical and many of their parts were premium potions ingredients.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Amos flooed to the Headmaster's office on Monday a bit unhappily. Cedric had owled him, giving the particulars. Amos wasn't sure how much was true and how much was gossip-mill fodder. Cedric frequently wrote him with 'happenings' – in particular the pranks the Weasley twins and the other Hufflepuffs played on the rest of the school – Timothy Hopkirk and his friends in particular. Amos chuckled. He wondered what it would have been like if Hufflepuff had been like that when he'd been at Hogwarts. He could think of several fellow ex-students he'd have liked to have pranked.

Albus greeted him warmly and started leading him to the area at the edge of the forest that housed the hippogriff herd, telling the tale of Hagrid's lesson that had gone amiss. Amos was sure that it was likely highly edited, but it was clear from both Cedric and Albus that the two students – Zabini and Longbottom had caused the problem.

They reached the area to find Lucius and Severus there, already. Albus hesitated, but Draco had said Lucius intended to help – he hoped Severus intended the same – however much he might like to have a dead hippogriff to cut up all to himself.

Lucius sighed and managed a smile. "Mr Diggory – as Severus and I had children that were in immediate danger during the incident, we wanted to ensure that you knew we did not endorse an execution for the beast." Well, their children didn't, anyway.

"Sending him to another herd makes much more sense. While it's true that an animal that has attacked the children – no matter the provocation – should not be allowed to stay, it doesn't have to be a fatal leave-taking." Severus added with sadness, mentally going through the long list of rare potions he could make with a hippogriff carcass at his disposal.

Amos nodded and shooed them away so he could have a closer look at Buckbeak. He did the bow and awaited the hippogriff's return bow. He carefully patted the beast, circling around him and watching the hippogriff's reactions. He seemed a bit suspicious, but not antagonistic. No overt agression after the exchange of bows. He would likely have been fine left at Hogwarts, but the parent's anxiety needed to be addressed and they would be relieved if the hippogriff was elsewhere – there was no need for disposal of the beast.

He let the three wizards waiting at the top of the hill know his decision. Albus twinkled, Lucius gave him half-sincere smile, Severus looked pained and nodded as they all went back to the castle.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Hermione watched Lucius enter the Ancient Runes office a couple weeks later. Everyone else was at Hogsmeade – even Harry Potter, along with his dad and brother, so Mr Malfoy had not been needed.

She saw a house-elf enter after Lucius. She heard Mr Malfoy telling the elf that he'd obtained a rare volume about owl breeding for Miss Petunia for Christmas and he wanted it taken to Malfoy Manor to hide until he could wrap it as a present.

The elf was blathering happily while Lucius got the book from a drawer. A plan sprout in her mind and she quickly entered the office after taking off one sock, hoping the plan would work.

"Mr. Malfoy, I was hoping to speak with you ..." Hermione began, nervously. "I have questions about the house-elves."

Lucius straightened slowly, looking at her through narrowed eyes. Aah the mu … um … muggleborn pain in the … um, neck. He sighed, people like her made him have Death Eater flashbacks. He usually quelled any slurs or insults by imagining that Petunia was in the room. Never the less, this Granger chit was able to really aggravate both he and his son.

Yes, she studied hard, but she brought so many preconceptions with her from the muggle world. Though she tried hard to learn magic, she didn't seem to really want to embrace the traditions and culture along with it. Albus really needed to allow a wizarding class along with the muggle studies.

Not to mention calling any wizard an enslaver was considered a solid reason for calling for a duel. Lucius took a deep breath and sat fingering his wand and gave her a frosty smile.

"Yes, Miss Granger? You want to … finally … ask questions?" He said, letting just a bit of condescension bleed through.

She flushed, but stood firm. "Yes, the library really tells us little about them – at least how, exactly they are … subjugated by wizards."

Lucius clenched his jaw. Did she really think that 'subjugated' was more acceptable to him than the word 'enslaved'?

Dobby peeked around the desk to look at the girl, she was talked about by the Hogwarts elves, who he spoke with at times. They laughed about her leaving hats and scarves around, 'trying to free them' – Didn't she know they had to be handed to them by their masters? They were a bit indignant about it all, but mostly ignored her.

"True, most of the information is passed down by word of mouth – or in family history books, but there are a few that give better understanding – though they won't sell them to underage wizards." At her look of outrage, Lucius continued. "Most of the books have the ritual and incantation to subdue the gremlin and invoke justice – they don't want a youngster trying it, especially on a gremlin that might not actually be guilty of anything. The penalty magic exacts from a wizard trying to invoke justice on an innocent gremlin is … messy."

"Oh, well, are there any books I can send for?" Hermione asked.

"Well, there is one I have that is considered appropriate." Lucius turned to his bookshelf – he'd been toying with the idea of having Pucey give a lecture on the elves, but he wasn't sure if that would be seen as just self-serving propaganda. He'd hoped that Draco and some of the others with house-elves would be able to explain about them without resorting to a lecture.

This gave Hermione the chance to slip the sock inside the owl book for Petunia and step back again. Lucius turned back and handed the house - elf book to Hermione, hoping she would read it and see reason. She managed a smile and a mostly polite 'Thank You'. Lucius nodded and went out the door – partly to escape Hermione and partly to catch Pucey – maybe they could mingle house-elves into history class along with other non-humans, so it wouldn't be so obvious.

Hermione quickly snatched up the owl book before Dobby could. She'd realized, after hearing some others laugh about her hats and scarves, that the clothes had to be given directly from the 'master' for the house-elves to be freed. She went into the busy hallway after Lucius, Dobby scampering behind in confusion.

"Mr. Malfoy, you forgot your book." She said innocently, handing him the owl book.

Lucius took the book, staring at her suspiciously. He recognized plotting when he saw it – he was a Slytherin, after all – with a Slytherin son, and most likely an Uber-Slytherin daughter. He stared a long moment, finally saying "Thank You, Miss Granger." and handed the owl book to the patiently waiting Dobby. He hesitated a long moment and turned back around.

Hermione grinned and said, "Open it!" To Dobby, who looked at her in confusion. "Open the book!" She insisted. Dobby hesitated and then opened it, to stare in horror at the sock. He clenched the sock, dropping the book and screamed in horror.

Who would take care of the family, now? Who would make the magicless Mistress Petunia safe? Who would protect and make treats for Miss Victoria? He howled his anguish. The magic was angry – he hadn't paid for the crime he'd been punished for and was leaving his servitude early.

Lucius swept back around, staring at Dobby, who was banging his head on the floor. Then he glared at the horrified and obviously guilty Hermione. The students in the hallway had stopped and were gathering around the scene, trying to understand it.

"What have you done?" Lucius shouted, though at seeing the sock, he could easily guess. The interfering know – it – all had freed his servant. Now the house-elf was paying the price.

Albus and some of the other teachers came running at the uproar, to find Lucius on one knee beside the distraught Dobby and Hermione trying to tell Dobby that he should be happy – he was free, now.

A couple of students looked at her in disgust. "Does he look happy, Granger?" one asked.

Lucius finally got Dobby's attention, "I didn't mean to free you … it was a mistake, Dobby. If you give me the sock back, the magic will know it was not your fault. You can serve again until you are ready to leave."

"Master will let Dobby serve the family, again?" Dobby stopped weeping long enough to hear what Lucius was saying.

"Yes." Lucis said in relief, while Hermione was protesting in the background and Flitwick was telling her to hush. "Give me the sock, and I will give you your instructions." Dobby eagerly handed over Hermione's sock. Lucius looked at him and said, "You will serve and protect my family as you did before. Follow our instructions until magic frees you, do you understand?"

"Yes, Dobby understands." Dobby answered in relief, picking up the book and popped away before the girl could do anything else to him.

Hermione looked around at the other students – no one was looking sympathetic or approving of what she had attempted. The teachers looked disapproving and Lucius looked, well, just a bit murderous.

"Miss Granger, perhaps we should go to my office and talk." Albus said gently. "Lucius, would you accompany us?"

The students watched them leave. The Slytherins already making bets as to whether Lucius was able to hex Granger even with the Headmaster watching.

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