It was the best way Harry could reveal his feelings without saying too much. It also explained his willingness to forgive Lucius and other Death Eaters, but not people like Ron and Dumbledore. Most Death Eaters were simply following orders and their beliefs, few actually enjoyed their actions. They were soldiers fighting for what they believed in. However, there were a few who Harry did hate and held grudges against: Pettigrew was an example - he was a traitor and he was weak. He didn't believe in anything other than saving himself. Bellatrix was another, although he could perhaps sympathise more since Sirius said she was honestly mentally ill. Still, she was a sadist who enjoyed hurting people, even children. Then there was the pink toad, Umbridge; her vindictive spreading of hate and prejudice was sickening.
Then there was Hermione, who was a conundrum. Harry still didn't forgive her - sure, she was innocent in this life, but she had manipulated him in his last, made him believe he had friends and then plotted to steal from him and kill him. She and Ron had utterly destroyed his heart in his last life, they had betrayed him along with Molly and Ginny. However, the one person he knew he would never forgive was Dumbledore. That man had destroyed Harry's life, he had plotted and schemed and manipulated until Harry had nothing - and why? For what purpose? Harry still didn't know for certain.
"You have goals, then?" Lucius asked, bringing Harry back to the present.
Harry tilted his head. "I think everybody has plans, Lucius."
Lucius smirked at the answer. How very Slytherin. "Indeed," he agreed.
~ After lunch Harry and Draco played a few games of chess and exploding snap while they talked idly. Draco was a better player than Harry, but Harry could hold his own.
Seeing an opportunity to ask something that had been bothering him for a while, Harry spoke, "Draco, I was wondering, do you happen to have a house-elf named Dobby?"
Harry saw Draco's face scrunch in confusion before he answered, "Yes, but he's not here at the moment, he's still in training. However did you know about him?"
"I'm not sure - perhaps you or somebody mentioned him?" Harry dismissed quickly. "Anyway, what training?"
Draco didn't look sure, but shrugged slightly before he continued, "Well, he's a young house-elf and, to be honest, he's slightly batty. Anyway, he's been sent off to train under the older elves so he can find his designation; to see if he would be best in the garden or looking after children, for example."
Harry nodded - that did make sense. "Where do they do this training?" he asked, a suspicion growing in his mind.
"Hogwarts, of course. Hogwarts has the most house-elves anywhere in Britain."
"I see. So is he a Hogwarts elf or a Malfoy elf while he's training?" Harry asked.
"Well, he's officially a Malfoy elf, but he has to follow Hogwarts orders until he's finished."
"Ah."
Harry thought about the events that transpired thanks to Dobby and honestly? He wasn't surprised that Dumbledore had manipulated them. However, it did leave the question of how much control the old man had on Lucius. If he simply manipulated Dobby that was one thing, but to manipulate the head of the Malfoy family was another. Perhaps Harry needed to bring in the elder Malfoy on a few of his secrets. If he was under charms Harry wanted him free, if only to strengthen their newly formed alliance.
Harry had also genuinely liked Dobby, the little elf had died rescuing Harry and the rest of them. But if the elf had been manipulated at first then he wasn't sure how much he could rely on his old friend.
"Why are you asking about elves anyway, Harry?"
"No reason - just interested, I guess," Harry lied.
Since Harry had become close to the Malfoys, he had noticed that their elves were actually treated rather well. They wore clean uniforms at least—sure, Lucius treated them like lowly servants but he wasn't excessively violent or cruel and Narcissa seemed to simply ignore them while Draco was a mixture of both. He hadn't seen anything like the abuse he had witnessed towards Dobby in his second year.
20th August 1992, Evening, Grimmauld Place, London
Returning home, Harry Floo'd into the parlour only to be met with the sight of garish periwinkle and orange robes. It seemed that Dumbledore had somehow talked his way into Grimmauld.
Looking around, Harry saw that Sirius had a look of anger on his face and Remus looked no better.
Steeling himself, Harry plastered a fake smile on his face. "Hello Headmaster, what brings you here today?" he asked.
Dumbledore turned and looked at the boy. He hated how at ease Harry looked wearing wizarding robes, he should be like a muggleborn.
"Hello my dear boy, I'm actually here to see you and Sirius. It's rather good timing on your part, I myself have only just arrived a few moments ago."
Harry sent Sirius a discreet look before he nodded. Remus, seeing this, stood and gave the Headmaster a strained smile. He would never forget his words during the trial and how the man who had allowed him an education had thrown him under the bus. "I see. Well then, why don't you go into the parlour?"
Sirius nodded stiffly. "Yes, why don't you follow me Albus," he said, with barely concealed anger. Harry followed behind and sent Remus a look to control himself.
Entering the parlour, Harry joined Sirius on the sofa and sat opposite to Dumbledore. He wondered how he had gotten in as the wards were very impressive and decided that Sirius must have let him in.
"Why are you here, Albus?" Sirius asked, his voice coming out frostier than before.
Albus withheld his snarl at the tone - who was he to speak like that at him? "I thought it would be a good idea to come and clear the air, so to speak, before young Harry comes back to school next week."
"There is no need Headmaster," Harry said.
Albus smiled, thinking he still had some control over the boy. "Yes, very well then," he said. "However, there was another reason I came."
Sirius barely stopped his eye roll. Of course there was.
"Oh?" Harry inquired. "Yes, I thought that after such a hectic summer you may wish to be re-Sorted when you return to school."
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