Chapter 48

Aunt Druella passed away, and I decided to bring Tito back to Hogwarts. Despite the freedom I'd given it, Tito wasn't happy being far away with little work. House-elves thrive on tasks and being near their masters. Being close to my mother's memory might comfort Tito.

Initially, I didn't want Tito at Hogwarts because I didn't want others knowing about my background. However, now that my mother's branch of the Rosier family was gone and my cousins either distanced themselves or looked down on me, my ties to the Rosier family were effectively severed. The headmaster shouldn't have any reason to question my loyalties.

Deciding to keep Tito at Hogwarts, I took it to the headmaster's office. Standing before the gargoyle statue, I respectfully asked, "Is Headmaster Dumbledore in?"

The statue ignored me. Not knowing how to get in without a password, I considered knocking on the gargoyle's head. Just as I was about to do so, I heard the headmaster's voice, laced with amusement, "Come in, Miss Hill."

The gargoyle moved aside, revealing a spiral staircase. I stepped onto it, experiencing the magical elevator sensation. At the top, I pushed open a wooden door to find the white-bearded headmaster smiling kindly at me from behind his half-moon glasses.

"Welcome, Miss Hill. Please, take a seat." With a wave of his wand, an old-fashioned armchair appeared beside his desk. I thanked him and sat down.

"Try this, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies." The sweet aroma filled the room as a basket of golden cookies appeared. They looked delicious, and I took one.

"Thank you, Headmaster. I love chocolate chip." The cookie tasted as good as it smelled, making me smile. "These are excellent! May I have another?"

"Of course! Help yourself." Dumbledore seemed pleased with my appreciation. As I munched on another cookie, I wondered if I could ask for a takeaway when I left.

"I assume you have a reason for visiting me?" Dumbledore's bright blue eyes twinkled warmly, making him seem approachable, though I knew he was incredibly astute. Despite my wariness, his friendliness eased my tension.

"It's about a house-elf," I began, summoning Tito and explaining its history and recent sorrow. I omitted some details, like having Tito hide its severance from the Rosiers or my meetings with Aunt Druella. I simply said Tito often visited my kind Aunt Druella until her recent death, and now I wanted to keep it at Hogwarts to help it cope.

The headmaster listened with a gentle smile, then looked at Tito. "Ah, Tito. Do you still have that sock?" His eyes twinkled mischievously, glancing at Tito's feet. Tito trembled, its small body shaking.

"Bad Tito! Bad Tito took the headmaster's sock!"

Seeing Dumbledore's growing amusement, I realized he was teasing. I gave him a disapproving look, which he noticed. Offering a half-apology with his eyes, he then reassured Tito.

"Don't worry about the sock, Tito. I forgive you for your eagerness to return to your master. Please, return to the kitchens. I miss your puddings." Evidently, Dumbledore had enjoyed Tito's cooking before.

Tito perked up, puffing out its chest. "Tito will make pudding for the headmaster! But first, Tito will serve Miss Sawyer."

"Of course," Dumbledore agreed cheerfully. "She is your master. Go to the kitchens and join the others."

With my permission, Tito bowed and vanished. 

"Thank you, Headmaster. Mrs. Black's death reminded Tito of my mother's passing. I think staying busy in the kitchens will help it cope with its grief." While I doubted he'd lose anything by keeping Tito, I still felt the need to express my gratitude.

"House-elves are loyal and sentimental creatures. They remember kindness deeply and repay it with immense loyalty. They are also very nostalgic and reluctant to change their allegiance. Tito's loyalty to you is an extension of its loyalty to your mother." Dumbledore's smile was kind. "Now, if I'm not mistaken, Gryffindor fifth-years have a History of Magic class this morning. You wouldn't want to be late, would you?"

I stood up promptly. "No, I wouldn't. Thank you for the cookies and the help, Headmaster. Goodbye."

Leaving the office, I realized I'd forgotten to ask for some cookies to take away.

With Tito back at Hogwarts for just two days, I was already reaping the benefits. Since the headmaster knew, I openly let Tito cook for me. I no longer had to wake up early for breakfast in the Great Hall; Tito brought a meal for four to my dormitory. The other two girls were astonished. I explained it was a perk of befriending a house-elf and asked them to keep it secret. They were amazed but happy to enjoy the breakfast service.

I also had Tito prepare meals for Severus, though I asked it to deliver his meals discreetly. Being too conspicuous wouldn't be good.

I occasionally went to the Great Hall for lunch and dinner to maintain appearances, but our hideout always had our favorite foods waiting for us. As I reviewed my notes on charms, I wondered if my life was becoming a bit too indulgent.

In April, I focused on various subjects for my exams, without neglecting potions. I also continued my regular visits to the hospital wing, which made me busier than ever. We adjusted our study schedules to coincide and kept up our chats to maintain our friendships.

However, the peaceful routine was disrupted when the Marauders resumed their antics. For nearly a month, the professors were surprised at their apparent good behavior. If old caretaker Pringle had known, he would have been moved to tears by their reformation. Unfortunately, he had retired, and the new caretaker, Filch, hadn't yet experienced their full mischief and still found the school relatively easy to manage.

The Marauders' pranks returned with a vengeance. James Potter, in particular, persistently pursued Lily, appearing everywhere she went.

In our hideout, Lily vented her frustrations. "Why can't I avoid him even by using the girls' bathroom? He's always there, messing with his hair."

I snickered. "He's trying to look cool."

Lily rolled her eyes unladylike. "I don't care what he's doing; he's seriously disrupting my peace! How does he always find me? I don't have a tracking spell on me... Maybe I should try Polyjuice Potion next time!" Lily was baffled by Potter's sudden ability to track her down.

"I don't know." I shrugged, "But whatever it is, they must have gained a lot during that quiet period."

We once asked Remus about it, but seeing his gentle, apologetic look, we couldn't pressure him to betray his friends.

Lily, determined, headed to the potions room, likely to ask Severus for Polyjuice Potion.

The next day, Lily and I drank Polyjuice Potion mixed with each other's hair for a brief morning. It was a Saturday with no classes, so I relocated my study to the library.

Watching the time, about half an hour passed with no expected interference, just greetings from a few Gryffindor friends. Another familiar face greeted me, a Hufflepuff girl.

"Hi, Lily! So you're here!"

"Hello, what's up?" I smiled, forgetting her name.

Fortunately, she didn't notice. "Did you finally reject James Potter for good? Is he heartbroken and moving on?"

"What?" I was confused until I remembered she was speaking to Lily.

She looked surprised at my reaction. "You didn't know?" Then she launched into gossip. "I just saw him chasing after Sawyer Hill! Has he moved on? Haha, you might finally be rid of him. But Sawyer's boyfriend is Severus Snape! Do you think they'll fight? I wonder who'd win. Slytherins are good at dark magic, right? If Snape uses dark magic, Potter might lose..."

I stood there, stunned by her rapid-fire gossip. Laughing awkwardly, I interrupted, "Really? I didn't know! Oh, I just remembered I have an appointment with Sawyer! Gotta go!"

She looked disappointed but said goodbye as I fled.

In the bathroom, I waited for the potion to wear off, then headed to the eighth floor. From a distance, I saw Potter pacing outside the Room of Requirement, staring at something in his hand. I tried to quietly retreat, planning to return later.

Potter seemed to sense something and looked up, spotting me. I sighed, resuming my approach.

"Sawyer! You're just in time. You know how to get in, right? This is the Room of Requirement, isn't it? Why can't I get in?"

"We asked it to let only the three of us in," I replied. "If you come when none of us are inside, it might work."

"Then open the door and let me in!"

"Sorry, I can't. We agreed the room would be exclusive. Why should I open it just because you demand it?"

Realizing his rudeness, Potter awkwardly scratched his head. "Sorry, I didn't mean to. Lily won't see me, and I'm frustrated." At least he showed some manners.

"Go back," I waved him off. "Lily's annoyed with you. If I were you, I'd reflect on why you're annoying and try to change."

Potter looked displeased but restrained himself, muttering a goodbye before leaving.

I breathed a sigh of relief, entering the hideout. Severus and Lily were there, Lily flipping through notes listlessly, and Severus looking sullen.

Seeing me, Lily gave a helpless smile. I glanced at Severus, silently asking Lily what was wrong. She mouthed, "Jealous."

I felt elated, sitting beside Severus and smiling at him until he turned away, embarrassed. Lily and I laughed at his reaction.

At that moment, a sturdy owl flew in through the open window, dropping a letter in Severus' lap before flying away.

"That's the Malfoy family owl," Severus said, puzzled by the plain envelope. "A letter from Lucius?"

"Why the change in style? Isn't their family into lavish things?" I asked curiously.

Severus opened the letter and began reading. Suddenly, his expression changed. He handed the letter to me, looking serious. "Sawyer, it's a letter from Lucius and your cousin Narcissa. It's about you."