Chapter 16: “House Elves”

The sight of Fawkes, Dumbledore's majestic phoenix, always filled Harry with a sense of wonder. The fiery bird, with its shimmering feathers, was a symbol of rebirth, known for its healing tears and the ability to teleport. As he watched the phoenix, Harry found himself daydreaming. The idea of having a magical creature like the phoenix by his side was enticing. He decided to travel the world in the future, scouring every nook and cranny, in search of his own phoenix. But he knew he'd have to be strong, both magically and mentally, to embark on such a journey.

Harry's musings were interrupted as James reached out for a piece of parchment clutched in Fawkes's talons. James's face darkened as he read the contents. "The Longbottom Manor has been attacked by Death Eaters," he announced gravely to the group. "Thankfully, there is no news of any casualties. The Death Eaters have been arrested. But Dumbledore asked us to go there immediately."

Lily and James exchanged horrified glances. The Longbottoms were not just acquaintances; they were dear friends. Their shared experiences at Hogwarts and in the Order had forged an almost familial bond.

"Harry, look after Charles," Lily instructed, her voice trembling with emotion. Without waiting for a response, she and James hurried after Dumbledore along with Sirius.

Madam Pomfrey, sensing her services might be needed, quickly spelled her office shut, ensuring Harry couldn't access anything dangerous. She then locked the wing, leaving the two boys inside, and followed the others.

Alone, Harry prayed for the safety of the Longbottoms. He hoped the Longbottoms came out of this attack without any injury and Neville would grow up in a happy, loving family.

With the adults gone, Harry was bored again. He played with Charles for some time but the one-year-old boy quickly got tired and fell asleep. 

The quiet of his temporary housing and being closed inside eventually began to wear on Harry. In search of some form of escape, he briefly entertained the idea of sneaking out, but after a few half-hearted attempts that ended in failure, he resigned himself to staying put. With a heavy sigh, he redirected his attention back to 'Hogwarts, A History,' hoping to find some distraction in its pages.

Amid the stillness, Harry's thoughts unexpectedly drifted to another significant figure in his life, one he had momentarily overlooked amidst the turmoil: Mira, the Potter family's house-elf. Mira had been a constant presence during Harry's early years, especially in times of conflict when companions his age were scarce. To Harry, Mira was far more than just a servant; she was a trusted friend and confidante. The realization that he had neglected to check on her recently weighed heavily on him, stirring feelings of guilt.

The dynamic between wizards and house-elves had always been complex, marked by varying degrees of dependence and affection.

House elves are considered an integral part of many wizarding households. Unlike, in the muggle world where people hire nannies and maids to take care of their children and the house chores, in the wizarding world these things are undertaken by house elves.

Wizards disliked doing these chores and felt doing these things beneath their stature hence there has never been a wizard nanny or a wizard maid in the whole history of the wizarding world. 

Seeing the ideal opportunity, house elves willingly took up this role.

House elves are said to have been cursed by some wizard in ancient times which made their bodies unable to produce or absorb magic. But they need magic to survive.

This made it so that to survive they need magic from another source. The source could be a wizard or a magical building. When house-elves saw that the wizards needed someone to take care of their everyday needs, they volunteered for the role on the condition that they formed a bond with them. The bond lets the house elves able draw on their masters' magic for sustenance.

For generations, house-elves like Mira had dedicated themselves to the care of wizarding families, becoming indispensable to their daily lives. Mira, in particular, had been a fixture in the Potter household, caring for Harry and his grandparents with unwavering loyalty.

Lily Potter, however, like many Muggle-borns, struggled with the traditional wizarding view of house elves as subservient. She did not like that the house elves were treated like slaves by some families.

Despite knowing that the relationship was for mutual benefit since the elves needed the magic from the wizards, she felt house elves should not be treated the way they were. She and most people like her advocated for a more egalitarian approach, believing there was no need for the house elves to work for magic and the magic should be given to them for free since it was essential for their survival.

This perspective had caused friction between Lily and Harry's grandmother and this was one of the reasons why Lily wanted to live with James in another home.

Despite the familial disagreements, Harry had formed a deep bond with Mira. He cherished her company, often involving her in his activities and adventures outside the home.

In the quiet wing, with his brother asleep beside him, Harry felt a pang of longing for Mira's company, for the familiar comfort she brought to his life. Mira was close to his grandparents so Harry knew she must be feeling devastated. Harry felt a surge of empathy for her. 

Deciding to check on her, he softly called out, "Mira, Harry needs you." He was not sure if she could come to see him at Hogwarts.

To his relief, a pop sounded, and Mira, the house elf, appeared before him. Her small stature and large, expressive eyes, filled with sorrow, immediately conveyed her grief. Her attire, a neatly kept skirt emblazoned with the Potter crest, was a testament to her association with the Potter family.

"Master Harry," Mira greeted, her voice tinged with sadness. The lines of distress on her face were evident. She was haggard and Harry knew she must have been suffering alone for the past few days without any company. 

After comforting Mira, who was grieving the loss of the elder Potters, Harry asked "Are you okay now Mira? Are you bonded to anyone now?"

Mira's eyes welled with tears. "Mira met Master James a few nights ago, but he said they didn't need an elf. Mistress Lily doesn't like seeing Mira around." 

"So, Mira has been at the Potter Manor, maintaining it. The manor's wards provide Mira with enough magic to survive," Mira added.

Feeling a profound connection with Mira, Harry asked, "Would Mira like to bond with Harry?"

Mira hesitated. "Young master might not have enough magic yet."

Harry smiled confidently. "Mira should try and see again."

Harry feels he's grown stronger, perhaps due to the memory awakening and the absorption of the leftover soul energy from Voldemort's soul shard.

To her astonishment, Mira found that Harry indeed had enough magic. They immediately went through the bonding process, and Harry felt a surge of happiness. He now had a loyal friend whom he could trust unconditionally. 

With Mira accompanying him, Harry was free from boredom. Their conversation soon turned to the abilities of house elves. Harry was astounded by Mira's magical capabilities. As he listened, Harry couldn't help but think how foolish many wizards were for not recognizing and valuing the immense potential of their house elves, treating them as mere servants rather than the magical powerhouses they truly were.

Before she left, Harry whispered, "Remember, Mira, our bond should remain a secret for now." Harry did not want to fight with his mother over this.

Mira nodded in understanding. "Mira will not speak of it, Master Harry," she promised, before vanishing with a soft 'pop'.

Left alone once more, Harry returned to his book, his mind a whirl of emotions.

Hours later, Madam Pomphrey returned, her face pale and drawn. "Your parents will be back late, Harry. Try to get some sleep."

As Harry lay down, he felt a mix of emotions: sadness for the Longbottoms, gratitude for Mira, and apprehension about the future. As sleep began to claim him, Harry realized that despite the challenges ahead, he was not alone. With Mira by his side and his newfound strength, he felt prepared to face whatever lay ahead.

In this moment of reflection, Harry drifted into a restful sleep, gathering his strength for the days to come.