The Merging: Hackles Academy Of Witchcraft And Wizardry.

Chapter 5.

It was Monday morning at the freshly named Hackles Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the students and teachers were making their way to breakfast.

The Cackle's students had enjoyed their first night in their newly assigned houses and the common rooms were much more comfortable than their old bedrooms. Most of the Cackle's students secretly hoped that Miss Cackle might keep them after Hogwarts eventually left.

Arriving at the dining hall, which was now a replica of the Hogwarts great hall, the students departed and took their seats at their house tables. A few of the Cackle's students weren't happy at being separated from their friends, but Miss Cackle had spoken to them last night and told them they should probably use this opportunity to have fun and make some new friends. Miss Hardbroom had just told them to stop whining and get on with it when she'd heard them.

Once all the castle's occupants were seated, they waited for Miss Tapioca to bring out the food like she did every morning, only that wasn't what happened. Instead, plates and plates of delicious breakfast food seemingly began to materialise out of thin air onto the tables. The Hogwarts students weren't fazed by this, but the Cackle's lot were frozen with their eyes wide and mouths agape.

Suddenly, there was a loud commotion coming from the teacher's table.

'What in the Great Wizard's name is the meaning of this?' hissed Hecate.

'Oh my! This looks fabulous,' smiled Ada.

'Albus, what have you done now?' Snapped Minerva.

'Did you see what they fed us last night Minnie? I was four seconds away from hunting down Voldemort and letting him AK me. Please don't make me change it, I won't survive.' Whined Albus.

'So ungrateful,' scowled Severus in Hecate's direction.

In the middle of this, Miss Tapioca had stormed into the great hall carrying what the Hogwarts students recognised as a house-elf, under one arm. The house-elf could be heard saying, 'you will be putting Dobby down right now Miss. Dobby is a free-elf and Mr Harry Potter will not be being happy with you.'

At hearing Dobby's name, Hermione immediately jumped into action. She strode right up to Miss Tapioca, before spitting out angrily, 'you will put him down this instant! Dobby is a magical creature and this is abuse.'

'I'LL PUT HIM DOWN WHEN HE PROMISES TO STAY OUT OF MY KITCHEN,' screamed Miss Tapioca.

By this point; Ada, Hecate, Albus, Minerva and Severus had made their way down from the head table and towards the commotion.

The students were all watching, and waiting nervously to see what was going to happen.

'Miss Granger, get back to your seat this instant,' snapped Snape.

'Miss Tapioca, I'm sure Albus didn't mean to upset you. What with all of the extra staff and students, your workload is going to be bigger than ever and I'm certain that he brought his....' She gestured to Dobby and someone shouted out helpfully, 'house-elf.' She nodded in thanks. 'I'm certain that he only brought his "house-elf" to help you. Please put him down,' said Ada reasonably.

Miss Tapioca did end up putting Dobby down this time, but it wasn't gentle and he landed on the floor on his bottom. Hermione immediately moved to help him up.

'Dobby is being a free-elf. Dobby is just being helping Mr Dumbledore Sir, because Mr Dumbledore Sir is being paying Dobby three galleons and Mr Dumbledore Sir is being calling for Dobby to being helping with food. Mr Dumbledore Sir is being saying food here being tasting like dragon dung,' he added helpfully.

'Dobby, no more playing chess with Sevvy at night. I won't have him teaching you to snitch,' scowled Albus.

Dobby stuck his tongue out at Dumbledore. 'Dobby is being a free-elf, unless Mr Dumbledore Sir is being paying Dobby lots of galleons. Is Mr Dumbledore Sir be paying Dobby to not be being Mr Sevs friend?'