Surprise Visit

Currently a routine study session was going on. Oz was sat reading a book peacefully as the others on the table were working on various homework's/projects. Harry seemed to be vexed at the homework he was doing as his face showed a lot of stress. The girls however all seemed confident in what they were doing, only occasionally asking Oz questions. Hermione who was to Oz's right on the table was reading a book to do with other wizarding communities in different countries.

"Did you guys know that in Russia they use who trees instead of brooms for Quidditch!? That seems insane!".

Harry was snapped out of his stress as he heard Hermione's fact. He looked at her with sparkling eyes.

"Really!? Whole trees!? That sounds incredible! I'd love to watch a game of quidditch with whole trees as broomsticks!".

Luna and Cho chuckled as they heard about how Russia plays quidditch. Daphne on the other hand gave off a smug grin.

"Yeah... It's really incredible..."

"You make it sound like you've seen it yourself Daphne?".

Daphne's smile became more smug as she puffed her chest out.

"When I was younger the Greengrass family took a trip to Russia! We were able to get good seats to a quidditch match and they did indeed use trees instead of brooms. It was incredible to watch... Definitely a lot more dangerous though...".

Oz chuckled hearing about the dangers of 'tree quidditch'.

"Well I imagine a broomstick flying into a wizard is a lot less painful than a fully fledged tree colliding into you... They must have a lot of medi-wizards and witches on standby at those matches".

Hermione nodded at Oz's theory as she pointed at a specific part in the book.

"Apparently their fatality rate is at least 10% more than our version of quidditch. That's one of the reasons why they aren't allowed to participate in the quidditch world cup, as they use trees for brooms and refuse any compromise".

Everyone listened on as Hermione went on about the different wizarding communities of the world. Even Oz found himself lending an ear to her facts considering that he would soon see these communities first hand.

"That makes me want to watch it even more...".

Harry grumbled in the corner as he pictured the scene of witches and wizards flying around on trees. Seeing this Oz chimed in with a question.

"Do you have any interest in Quidditch Harry?".

Harry put his finger to his chin as he thought about Oz's question. Before he could give an answer, Hermione spoke out.

"In our first flying lesson last year he picked it up faster than anyone else! His talent seems unrivalled in our year...".

Harry shook his head as he looked over to Hermione.

"I appreciate the praise but I just don't have interest in it... I would one day like to get my own broom to fly on however playing quidditch... I just can't see myself doing it".

Oz watches as the conversation between everyone continued about Harry and Quidditch. Oz decided at this point to give the boy a little push.

"Well you never know, you may be a prodigy at it... Although with Snape and his distaste for you as a whole I don't think that he will ever consider you for the team".

Everyone at the table laughed as they recalled the relationship between Snape and Harry. Compared to the canon it seemed their clashes were much more frequent due to Harry being in his house this time round. Looking out the window of the library at this time Oz noticed it was getting late.

"Hey guys I think I'm gonna head back to the dorms now. Harry, Daphne, do you want to come with?".

Harry and Daphne both nodded at Oz as they stood up from their seats. Everyone gave light waves as they split off heading back to their dorms. Oz, Harry and Daphne chatted about various things as they walked through the halls of the school and eventually they found themselves in the dungeons. As they arrived in the dungeons though, Oz sensed that there were more people here than normal.

'Hmm... Somethings going on'.

As they turned the corner and entered the Slytherin common room Oz's intuition seemed to ring true. In the common room all the Slytherin students seemed to be gathered in a group around a person. As Oz activated his eyes on the sly he noticed the aura of the person was extremely familiar. The crowd began to part the second Oz, Harry and Daphne walked in and as the crowd parted the source of the familiar aura was revealed.

"There you are master".

Alfreda had appeared at the school and she bowed her head to Oz as he entered. The Slytherins in the room seemed to all become rowdy as Alfreda mentioned Oz as her master.

"She was a maid?! The bloodline of Merlin is not to be underestimated".

"I'm not jealous... I'm not jealous... AHHH I'M JEALOUS".

"She makes my house-elf at home look like dog water!".

Oz chuckled hearing all the different comments. Looking at Alfreda he ushered her to raise her head. Harry and Daphne both stared at Alfreda and then Oz.

"Oz? Who is this?".

Daphne broke the question to Oz as Alfreda rose her head. Standing next to Alfreda, Oz presented her to both Daphne and Harry.

"Harry, Daphne, This here is my elf servant Alfreda. She's served Merlin's bloodline for centuries".

Harry and Daphne's jaws dropped as they heard of Alfreda's origins. Alfreda bowed her head to both of them and spoke with a slight grin.

"It's a pleasure to meet you two. Oz mentioned you in his letter to me stating you were both good people".

"T-The pleasures all ours here... Oz is a great friend to have".

Harry stuttered out a response as Daphne gave him an elbow to his ribcage. She then introduced herself as well. With everyone acquainted Oz look at Harry and Daphne.

"I'm gonna head back to my room now. I'll see you two tomorrow probably... Alfreda, follow me".

Alfreda bowed her head once more to both Harry and Daphne before following Oz through the common room. As they walked on through all the Slytherins in the area watched them go by. Harry and Daphne watched them off until they were out of sight.

"That Oz is always full of surprises...".

.

Entering into Oz's dorm, both Oz and Alfreda walked on in and closed the door behind them. Oz casted a few charms on the door so nobody could enter or hear anything just to be safe.

"Well this is certainly a surprise Alfreda, How did you even get into the school?".

Alfreda lightly chuckled as she looked over at Oz.

"Well~ House-elves are known to be able to apparate most places, even places witches and wizards can't. Even though Hogwarts wards are powerful they can't block me at all~".

Oz stroked his chin as he noted that information.

"Is there something inherently different about the way elves apparate in comparison to witches and wizards?".

Alfreda nodded at she began to explain.

"Witches and Wizards magic is somewhat different to elves magic as you should know. When a person apparates they travel through space incredibly fast. Your method of apparition is a lot more... brutal in comparison to elves. Elves use their magic to break themselves down more before sending themselves through space resulting in a much more easier and precise travel however we can only do it when we travel solo. Your method of apparition is usually a bit faster though as you have no 'preparation' stage whereas an elves apparition needs that preparation. That preparation stage though allows us to spread ourselves so thin that the majority of wards that block us are completely useless~".

"I see... I really have rinsed you for all the information you have yet have I? Well I guess next year we will have plenty of time together to discuss such things...".

Alfreda looked at Oz with a smile as she opened the pouch on her hip. Delving her hand in she pulled out a package and gave it to Oz.

"It was a bit more difficult that expected to get these mirrors... They also cost quite a bit too~".

"Well with the fortune I earned from the health specs I imagine that it's hardly dented my money reserves...".

Opening the package Oz looked at the 4 mirrors in front of him. On the top of the mirrors frame was a small jewel that was blue on two of the mirrors and on the other two it was red. It didn't take a genius to realise that the same coloured jewels were the connected mirrors.

"Do you mind if I ask a question master? Why do you need these mirrors?".

Oz smiled as he put the mirrors into his own pouch and spoke.

"I need a way to keep Hogwarts in my sight even whilst im not here... You see this school is known for its dangers and recently its been so frequent that it's almost suspicious. Whilst I have no true connection to the school itself this place still has people within it that I value long-term".

"I see~".

Alfreda nodded along to Oz's explanation. As he finished she remembered about Norberta.

"Oh right~ As for Norberta master she's doing well. She's grown into a fine young dragon who is starting to get a bit too big for the hideout... I think it's safe to say that soon she will need to be taken to Romania... She told me to tell you she said "Hi"".

Oz frowned slightly as he thought of the little dragon that had now grown up. He had spent a whole summer with her along with the travel to Stonehenge initially. He felt regretful at the fact she grew so quickly without him being there however when he thought of how she would be better of in Romania that regret slowly washed away.

"I knew it would come to this eventually... After this school term Alfreda I have some business I want to sort through in the hideout for a bit before we start our journey. When I return I imagine we will have at least a few weeks of summer at the hideout before we head off".

Alfreda smiled and bowed her head to Oz.

"I'll be sure to have a cup of tea brewed for you when you return master~".

Looking over towards the clock in Oz's room, Alfreda noted that it was time for her to leave. Her face seemed to morph into slight sadness as she had to part with her master so soon. Regardless she knew deep down that soon she'd be seeing a lot of him all the time.

"Well master It's time for me to head off... I'll be awaiting you return soon~".

Oz nodded at Alfreda as he gave her a light smile.

"It was nice to see you Alfreda. Tell Norberta that I'll see her soon and we will have plenty of time to be together then before she has to be taken to Romania".

Alfreda's expression lit up as she heard Oz's closing message. Smiling brightly at her master she snapped her fingers and apparated. As she apparated Oz noted that it did seem marginally slower than a witch/wizards version. She seemed to phase into dust whereas a wizard would just vanish instantly.

'I wonder if I can get her to teach me how to apparate like that...'.