The Malfoy Trial

Draco wanted black robes.

“Are you modelling yourself on your Godfather, Draco? Are we to see you swishing into the classroom and being heavily sarcastic? I thought you were beyond that.”

“Think of your poor house-elves. Professor Snape’s robes were always spotted with something. I bet they had a lot of problems keeping them clean.” Hermione scowled.

“But it’s the proper colour for a teacher to wear,” protested Draco, whining.

“None of the others wear black except Binns. Even his can’t be called truly black as you can see through them.” Said Harry: “And him, for that matter.”

“So Milord, do you want me to wear some floral design like Trelawney, or maybe one of those shirts we wore to go shopping in the village?” said Draco at his most sarcastic.

“How about a really fetching Gilderoy outfit?”

“Hermione – you’re not serious; are you?”

“We girls swooned over him, he was really dishy. You’d get lots of offers, Draco.”

“Hmm … Hermione? It may have escaped your attention, but I’m not that interested in girls, y’know.”

“May I not at least have the chance to try and convert you?” Hermione batted her eyelids coquettishly. “Not that I’ll let on what has been said in the Headmistress’s office. However a few people already suspect.”

“Who are they?”

“Ron started the discussion; then Percy agreed, soon the whole clan thought it was possible.”

“All the Weasleys?” Draco looked stricken.

“Come on, Draco. Everyone will know sooner or later. Black robes would put you in the denial category and flowery in the ‘flaunting it’ one. I’m going for the maroon colour, something like the Wizengamot robes I wear, but with a lighter pattern in it, so’s not to be seen flaunting my new titles.”

“Hmm … How about a darkish blue with a lighter scattered pattern, so then it won’t show the spots so easily. I still want it to swish though, that’s part of the fun.”

The all agreed about that. Hermione chose a dark green with infinitesimal gold and silver threads, she sparkled as she moved. They had a lot of fun swishing whilst choosing the material. Madam Malkin suggested the styles and cuts that would best suit. Smiles all over, they walked briskly to the Leaky Cauldron.

“Good-day Milady, Milords,” Tom said with a bow: “Your Proctor has booked a private room for you. Number six. Here’s the key. I’ll be up in quarter of an hour to take your orders.”

“Thank you Tom,” said Harry taking the proffered key.

“Your what, Harry?” asked Hermione as they climbed the stairs.

“My Proctor, Hermione. We appointed her yesterday.”

“But you said nothing at Dinner, last night.”

“It wouldn’t have been appropriate, Hermione,” put in Draco: “The combined estate has a number of new elfin posts in order to keep it running whilst Harry is teaching. My old Malfoy self would have delighted to rub it in, but in the true spirit of entente cordiale it was best to be diplomatic. Besides which, we wanted to surprise you.”

“So Harry, I thought you were my ally in emancipating the elves. Then you go behind my back and enslave even more of them.”

“Um … It’s not quite like that Hermione.” Harry opened the door.

“Kreacher. What are you doing here?”

“Hello Milady. Meet Binder his new Proctor, she was displaced from Draco’s old home. And then, these two you’ve already met, haven’t you. It was me you asked to find them a good caring home, wasn’t it. Well they’re Draco’s and Harry’s personal-elves now. Isn’t that what you wanted, Milady?”

Hermione looked around flabbergasted; Kreacher winked slyly at Harry and got a hidden thumbs-up in return.

Previously primed by Kreacher, Bobby and Robbie rushed over to Hermione and grabbed her hands, jumping up and down in glee.

“Thank you very much, Mistress, Milady Seer. You found us a lovely home and our Masters are really kind,” said Robbie.

“Very understanding, too,” added Bobby, slyly winking at Draco.

“So Hermione,” Draco smirked: “What have you got to say for yourself, encouraging elves to take on new masters? I thought that that was against your SICK code of conduct.”

“It’s not SICK it’s SPEW …” Hermione looked up and found mischief not malice in the blond’s eyes. “Okay, okay so you caught me out. I have learned something, you know, especially after having made a fool of myself in my acceptance speech. It’s obvious that most elves prefer the status quo, but that doesn’t give their employers the right to mistreat or abuse them, does it?”

“With that sentiment we both agree. Now how about congratulating our two over-elves?”

“Over-elves? Oh!” Hermione suddenly realised who they were. She held out her hand to Kreacher. “Congratulations, Reeve-elf Black and Potter. At last you have some recognition for a long life of service.”

“Thank you Mistress, Milady Seer.”

“Come off it Kreacher, you’ve called me Hermione too many times now.”

“You started it, with that long title. This is Binder. I’ve given her strict instructions about calling you by your first name, but she’ll slip now and again. Won’t you, Binder?”

“Shut up Kreacher. Hello Hermione, I’ve been taken on to run Harry’s estates and to help Draco with his too. It’s a step down from being the never-mentioned-again’s Reeve, but that is easily compensated for by the relaxed atmosphere in which we work together.”

Hermione shook hands and congratulated Binder.

“So Harry; apart from wanting to shock me, why are we having this little gathering?”

“We have started to have working breakfasts together, Kreacher and Binder need entry to our vaults in order to do their work proficiently. So we’re going to Gringott’s to sort that out and then Robbie and Bobby will be picking up things on our authority so we thought it would be good to introduce them to the shopkeepers concerned.”

“How does that work Harry, are these two free elves then?”

“No Milady Mistress we are not; nor do we ever want to be.”

“It’s my Reeve’s doing, Hermione. Their official title is personal-elves. It’s at least one step up from being a house-elf, probably more. Although part of the House establishment, personal-elves can travel with their Owners, and carry out their wishes as long as given permission to do so. They also have to have visited the place with their employer and been introduced properly. Now they’ve met you they’ll be able to pop round with things for you from us and vice versa.”

“That reminds me, Hermione. When we did the interviews we found at least three bookish house-elves, they’d been looking after the owners’ libraries; one of them decidedly dark. Perhaps you might like some help in your new job. Give them the freedom of being personal-elves, and you can help them learn more. All of them can read, and have a thirst for knowledge. Who knows, but might found a new breed of librarian-elves.”

“Do I get the feeling of being pressured, Kreacher.”

“Of course! As you said at the meeting: ‘let’s find places that suit their temperaments’ and here’s a case in point, or three.”

“What meeting was this Hermione?” asked Harry slyly.

Milady went red: “Erm … Erm … It just so happened that I was looking at my accommodation at Hogwarts, when Kreacher and the School Reeve came along. I accidently overheard what they were up to and tagged along. I was very surprised at the reception they got, nearly every elf wanted to come and be part of your establishment. It made me re-think some SPEW ideas. Then, after the choosing, the three of us sat down and had along session with Minerva … Erm … I seem to have become her deputy commissioner for the placement of elves.”

“So we have to thank you for our small army then. They all seem very willing.”

“Yes … Well … We’ve developed some guidelines about placements and I’ve involved Ginny. Molly doesn’t know it yet but she’s got a pair coming to stay for six months, learning basic housekeeping.”

“How is she going to pay for their upkeep?”

“Not quite sure yet, but we’re working on it.”

“Okay! Binder, you said something about charity giving as part of a House’s duty. How about we set up a ‘society for the care and retraining of house-elves’, or something like that. Say a donation from Potter funds of a thousand galleons and a matching one from Black funds. Arrange the publicity for it so we can encourage others to match our generosity. I reckon Minerva and I can twist the Minister’s arm to make a public appeal starting with a charity dinner at the Ministry or a series of them at Grimmauld Place. You get the idea, don’t you?”

“Yes M-Harry, it’ll take some time to set it up. A Christmas launch would hit the right heart-strings. About four months, that’s do-able. We’d need an upfront organiser, preferably from a house family.”

“Full or part-time?”

“Part time with a personal-elf, would be good.”

“Right! House Weasley is a greater house, and in good standing, conscience-wise, at the moment. Hermione, you said that you’d got Ginny on board. How about you offer her a part-time job as organiser? I know she wants to go back to school, but she’s afraid to be a financial burden on the Weasley’s slender resources. We’ll cover the cost very quietly, say something like anonymous donors. Then we can support those two elves and Ginny as well as helping our friends’ finances. It’ll take the Ministry ages to sort out compensation for Fred’s death, we know what they’re like, don’t we?”

“Does this conversation seem familiar to you, somehow, Binder?”

“Yes Draco, but for the accent, if I closed my eyes I could almost be back at the Manor. I didn’t know your family’s traits could be passed on so easily.”

“Maybe it’s the Black House’s influence?”

“What are you two on about?”

“Hmm … Harry … Promise you won’t be cross?”

“Okay?”

“Apart from the way you said things, Binder and I have heard similar conversations all our lives. It’s just the way Father used to sort things out … Well; nearly … He’d be working on an angle that would redound to his house’s merit and profit too. However the real thing is: can you swing it Hermione?”

“Oh; I think so. Ginny’ll be thrilled to bits. It’s Molly and my Copper-knob who get all het up about such things. I even have to be careful what I say when we’re out shopping together. Still; it’s a little better now he’s earning. Are you going to Gringott’s first; if so I’ll come with you?”

They finished lunch quickly and went to the bank.

“Welcome Mage Black, Governor Griphook is expecting your party, please follow me.”

Hermione detached herself and went to see another teller.

“Hello Harry, good to see you! Would you all like sherry?”

All four visitors were surprised at the bonhomie emanating from the neatly dressed goblin. Harry watched Draco accept a drink and followed suit, the four elves copying their masters.

“I was expecting your Reeve and Proctor, but who are the other two? I’m afraid I haven’t prepared keys for them as well.”

“Nice office, Griphook. Robbie and Bobby are our personal-elves. Why the red carpet treatment?”

“Well, Harry! The assets of the two Houses concerned exceed that of the unmentionable house, even before Draco’s father let Voldie squander half of it. Secondly, your good influence from the war got me the governorship. Thirdly, the swearing in ceremony for Reeves and Proctors is always done privately. Fourthly, I haven’t yet congratulated you on becoming the head of two houses. Fifthly, your recommendation to certain friends, about my prowess in banking, now makes me the most influential Governor here. Justin’s just transferred his Father’s inheritance making my portfolio the largest of any Goblins since records started. And sixthly, I like a drink of sherry after lunch. Cheers!”

They returned the salute just as Hermione was ushered in. Griphook offered her a drink, but she opted for orange juice. Draco asked about the incident with the dragon and it led to nearly an hour’s discourse on what had happened and why. After which two bemused over-elves were sworn in and given their keys. Binder wished to visit all the vaults to familiarise herself with the contents. Kreacher wished to see them also, so the other five wished Griphook a fond farewell and left for the Apothecary’s shop; Hermione departing to pick up books from Flourish and Blotts.

At Crusher, Mixxett and Feedum there were no real formalities. Mr Mixxett was surprised at the range of knowledge of the two elves, and asked Harry playfully, if he could spare one of them to help out. Robbie and Bobby looked worriedly at Draco.

“It’s all right! He’s only joshing.” Harry whispered whilst Draco was talking over the list with Mr Mixxett. “It’s a compliment for such a well known apothecary to value your services and your knowledge. If, when you visit, you wish to help out, I’m sure he’d be very grateful. However, remember whose personal-elves you are; you are bound to us, just as a house-elf is. However, I give you permission to make up your own minds about it, Okay?”

“Yes, Lord Harry. We’ve yet to see the store at Hogwarts. One of the school elves said it was in a mess.”

“Yes … Well … Draco’s godfather might have kept miniscule written records, but he’d little notion of how to store things. Horace used to dump things anywhere too. When we were students we got detention sometimes and had to sort the store out. He’d still not know where to find anything, even then.”

The two elves chuckled and then went to help Mr Mixxett weigh and parcel all the ordered ingredients. Once everything was in place Draco miniaturised the bulky package and the quartet wandered off to Fortescues for an ice cream. A number of people stared at the unlikely four. Harry ignored them, having become used to celebrity. If they came too close, he had a patented glower which, along with twiddling his wand, usually managed to keep even the most inquisitive gongoozlers at bay.

“Lord Draco? When we went behind the counter at the apothecary’s he didn’t seem to have a lot of stock,” said Robbie.

“He said the other two partners were out harvesting, that seems unusual,” added Bobby.

“With your old employer gone, maybe he’s had a run on supplies,” suggested Harry.

“I don’t think so, Harry. He sort of hinted that my father had run up a large bill and not paid it. Let’s ask Binder to look around. If they need capital maybe you could help out. Mind you; it’d have to be a proper commercial contract. With an almost monopoly on the market it’d be a good steady investment. People always need pills and potions.”

“Okay. We’ll put on the agenda for tomorrow’s breakfast. Now we’d better run and get your waver sorted; we’re almost late now.”

“May we come with you to the Ministry, please?”

“Okay? It’d be useful for you to meet a few people. It’ll set you up for running errands, won’t it?”

The rooms in which the Ways and Means Committee met were not the easiest to find. They were a quarter of an hour late and sneaked in at the back. Milady Thaumaturge looked up and nodded; then indicated they were overrunning slightly. There was time for the quartet to get their breaths back and have a quiet conference with Minerva. They introduced Robbie and Bobby to her.

“So … The Draco lookalike is Harry’s assistant and the Harry mirror-image is Draco’s helper … Well, well! I bet I get you mixed up. Welcome to the team.”

The Ways and Means Committee had little problem with the alteration. They asked Draco a few searching questions and then signed the waver. A number of members came to chat to Harry as the chairman quickly disappeared. As it was the last business of the day; the Minister caught the quartet by the door when they were leaving.

“Harry, do you have a few minutes please? I’d like to talk to you privately. Draco and your two personal-elves can wait with my secretary; now that Draco won’t be in breach of his order.”

“Okay Kingsley. But the answer’s still ‘no’, if it’s Aurors you’re talking about.”

“It’s something else, and equally important.”

The elves giggled in the lift: “I think our elfin magic works better on your lift, Milord,” said Robbie: “This one rattles and lurches.”

Some of the other Magical’s in the lift looked disdainfully down at the two elves.

Kingsley chuckled: “This one carries many more people, Robbie, and it goes forwards and backwards too. When I have time you can come and visit me and we’ll go and see how they work. Maybe you’ll be able to suggest a better way of powering them.”

The disdainful ones looked surprised. One was heard to mutter to her colleague, as they left the lift: “You’d think the Minister would have better things to do …” Then she went out of earshot.

Kingsley sighed and winked at the elves once they were left alone for the final level. Harry gave him a secret thumbs-up.

When they arrived at the office Milady Thaumaturge was already there.

Draco and the two elves remained in the outer office. The secretary was looking slightly less harassed than last time, and after finding tea for the trio in the inner sanctum, managed to find some for her guests.

“Snookums!”

“Pop: “Yes Mistress?”

“Come and meet two more personal-assistants. This is Robbie and this is Bobby.”

Snookums shook hands with them and then with Draco when he offered his hand and politely asked after her health.

“Very well, thank you, Milord Adept. This is my first day here; Seer Grainger found me the place. I’m still learning about being a personal assistant and about the labyrinth I work in.”

Snookums took the other two off to look at the elfin parts of the Ministry. Draco sat in a comfortable chair looking through the latest edition of the Quibbler and occasionally snickering.