4 Chapter-4: Grandpa and house-elf

As the morning sunlight flowing into the room through the window, giving an ethereal glow inside.

A cute and handsome boy is seen standing in front of the mirror fixing his dress.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Young Master, it's about time. Everyone is waiting for you."

"In a minute Edward," said Theo.

In the drawing-room when Theo came he saw his parents talking with an elderly person with messy white hair, blue eyes, and a long face with little wrinkles wearing a long blue robe which is uncommon here.

"Ah. You must be Theo. Congratulation for getting on Hogwarts young man." said the elderly person seeing him coming into the room.

"Theo this is Mr. Blake Augustus. Your grandfather's cousin. So he is my uncle in relation and your granduncle. He is a wizard just like you." said Robert with a smile seeing the curious gaze of Theo.

"Hello, granduncle Blake."

After knowing the elder person's identity Theo gave a polite greeting.

"Ha… ha… ha... Such mannerisms Robert you have an excellent son indeed," replied Blake while laughing.

"Are you ready Theo?" said Anna with a sweet smile.

Theo nodded with a smile.

"All preparation is done, mother."

"Atta boy young man, just good child," said Blake with a smile. Then looking at Robert and Anna,

"Then without farther a dew, I think we should depart."

"Ah. Yes, please." "You should behave well son."

Said Robert with a smile. In the meantime, Anna hugged Theo with moist eyes,

"Take care of yourself, my dear."

"Yes. I will miss you, mom," replied Theo with a sad tone and moist eyes.

"Boy come over here and take my hand," said Blake.

Theo reluctantly leave Anna's arms and went in front of Blake and took his hand.

Unwilling but Anna didn't stop him just looked at him with moist eyes. Seeing Theo took his hand Blake then looked at the couple gave them a nod.

Then again looked at Theo with a commanding expression

"Brace yourself."

Hearing his order Theo first got confused then seeing his eyes immediately braced himself and mentally prepared for anything out of blue.

Then looked at Blake with a ready expression.

Seeing him Blake nodded in his mind with satisfaction. Then looked at the Robert Anna couple gave them a nod one last time and Theo waved his hand towards them.

"Ready boy we are going to apparate." "One…Two…Three…"

Blake's voice just fell, and Theo felt that he was spinning. Theo could not draw his breath, He felt as though he had just been forced through a very tight rubber tube, every part of him was being compressed almost past endurance.

And then, just when he thought he must suffocate, the invisible bands seemed to burst open and he was standing on an open ground taking a lungful of fresh air. It was a worse experience for him.

Seeing him like this Blake laughed out loud.

"Ha…Ha…Ha… young man don't worry nobody's first experience of the apparition is good. It takes some time to get hang of it. Trust me I also felt that when I taste my first apparition."

Hearing him Theo got a little better. Then he looked at the surrounding. They are standing on a road which both side a jungle.

He was first confused and thought it was an illusion. He then became really excited after checking that it is true, they actually apparate here from his home.

"Well let's start walking boy, my hose is just in front," said Blake started walking. Seeing him walk Theo followed him.

When Theo walking behind him, he started to think, it was just on the day they finished buying all the necessary things on Diagon allay.

His father had sent a letter to Grandpa Blake through professor McGonagall.

Just after reaching home, they found a reply came from Granduncle.

He told them in the letter that he would come tomorrow. And would take Theo with him to his house. Theo will stay with him until he left for Hogwarts.

He said that he wanted Theo to accompany him. So, he could get a better understating of his abilities and capabilities, and also to make Theo adapt faster to the wizarding world.

Suddenly his thought was broken by the voice of Blake.

"We are here, Theo."

Theo saw that they are in front of a huge gate which is old but beautiful and well maintained.

Then he saw Blake waved his hand and the gate started opening on its own.

Then they entered the gate and saw a huge beautiful villa.

The area around the villa is enclosed by a large stone wall. And in front of the villa is a large front yard. It is made of a green grassy field divided into two with a stone road.

The road starts from the gate up to the villa. There is an ancient but perfectly working fountain in front of the villa. There are few old and ancient oak trees and some unknown trees spread on the right side of the yard. A huge lake and a garden surrounding the lake on the left side of the yard.

"Welcome to Augustus villa," said Blake looking at Theo who was checking everything out.

"Let's go inside first," said Blake while walking towards the villa and urging Theo to walk with his gaze.

"Umm… Grandpa Blake. Why didn't we apparate directly in the house?"

"Well, it's because the villa is covered by a force field. So, whoever tries to enter this villa directly by an apparition will get a block in front of the wall and will make a force apparition there."

"What's a force field?"

"Force field is a barrier made up of energy, plasma, or particles to protect a person, area, or object from attacks or intrusions or as a means of containment or confinement. In simpler trams a defensive measure to defend from intrusion or attack on the house."

While talking about this both Blake and Theo came in front of the house. But they saw that the door is already open and a small creature with large, bat-like ears and bulging green eyes the size of tennis balls waiting for them.

When he saw them it immediately stood sideways and made a bow while muttering.

"Lodi have seen master, Lodi was waiting anxiously of your arrival."

They entered the house while Theo looking at Lodi curiously. After they entered the When it got up he saw was looking at him curiously seeing him he gave a slight bow.

"Lodi sees the young master."

"Ah… Theo let me introduce you, this is Lodi a house elf. He is in charge of house management as well as other house-elves."

"A house-elf" muttered Theo excitedly while looking at Lodi. He has read in a history book of the wizarding world about house-elves.

A house-elf is a magical creature that is immensely devoted and loyal to the one designated as its master.

House-elves serve wizards and witches and are usually found under the employment of old wizarding families taking residence in elaborate establishments, like mansions, and must do everything that their masters command unless they are freed.

A house-elf can only be freed when their master presents them with clothes.

House-elves have their own brand of wandless magic. Which, despite their small physical size, is very powerful.

They usually wear a rag as loincloth only.

But Lodi seems to wear good clothes instead which made him curious.

"How many house-elves lives here?" asked Theo.

"Allow Lodi to answer young master. There are twenty-four house-elves are assigned here other than Lodi.

Everyone is hardworking. They keep and manage the house as well as the front and back yard properly all day and night." said Lodi excitedly.

He loves to talk about the house-elf working here. Because it's a matter of pride for them.

"Twenty-five… but why don't I see them anywhere?"

"The house-elves work in hiding, and it is considered the mark of a good house-elf that he or she does all the work but his/her house-elf is not even noticed.

Only a head house elf like Lodi reveals himself to all and the house-elf who have assigned to a master will reveal himself to that master. Other than that only when a house elf is called then he will reveal himself."

"Oh… interesting…"

Said Theo thoughtfully. He was thinking of having a house-elf for himself, then it would have been interesting.

In the meantime, they already came to the common room and sat on the sofa.

Blake was listing to their conversion the whole time.

But when he saw the face of Theo, he could understand instantly what he was thinking. So, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Ha…ha…ha… Little Theo got interested in a house-elf hmm."

"No… no… it's not like that," replied Theo hastily while embarrassed.

"You don't have to worry if you are interested in them I can assign you a house-elf."

"Really… it's that ok," said Theo politely while being embarrassed.

"Why the sudden politeness aren't I like your grandfather. I will give you whatever you want… all have to do is ask," said Blake with a smile.

"Ah… yes... Lodi assigns a good elf for Theo. By the way, let me introduce him. He is Theodore Arthur Augustus."

"It's nice to meet you, young master Theodore. Lodi will assign a good house-elf to young master right away." Lodi said, then apparate to do his work.