Unity & Perseverance

Black Manor

A/N:  Next Chapter: Harry has another revelation, which may change the perception of just how better a united student front is than a fractured and prejudiced one.

Also, this is what I imagine Black Manor to look like from the outside: https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/140104238389096027/

Amelia woke up on Friday morning with an unusually high motivation to get out of bed. Today, she would be moving out of Grimmauld Place and going to live with her godfather, along with Harry and Dorea, at their new home. Even though she had no clue where this new house was located, she was very optimistic. As she walked downstairs to breakfast, she encountered Ginny. Her friend turned to her. "Mum says we're not to discuss the fact you're moving today - Elphias Doge has just dropped by."

She knew what that meant, as there was a rule - only the people who lived in Grimmauld Place knew about their move (the only exception being McGonagall and Dumbledore). Not even fellow Order members who were superbly trusted, like Kingsley, knew they were going - it was far safer to tell as few people as possible. That way, they could sleep far more easily at night.

They walked down into the kitchen together. Her twin brother, along with the other Weasley's, Dorea, and Hermione, were all there munching away. Remus was helping Mrs Weasley wash up a few dishes. Tonks and Mr Weasley had already gone to work. Elphias Doge was sat reading The Daily Prophet. Why is he reading that drivel? She thought incredulously. She spread some strawberry jam on a warm bit of toast and began to eat. Her godfather entered the room not long after. Though he was yawning, he looked in regal spirits. She could tell he just wanted to mention their new home, but was unable to due to Elphias Doge.

"Why is he even here?" She whispered to Harry, gesturing to the old man.

"He was talking to Remus and Mrs Weasley about something - he had a letter, and I heard Hagrid's name being mentioned." Harry whispered back.

"Hagrid's an Order member, isn't he?" When Harry nodded, she continued, "It's strange we haven't seen him drop by."

"Oh, you're right! I wonder why?"

Sirius got up out of his seat and came towards them. She felt him place a tiny bit of paper in her lap as he went through to the pantry.

She opened it out of sight of Doge - it read:

" There's been a slight change of plan - Dumbledore has to survey the house's security wards and enchantments just to make doubly sure they're a hundred percent safe and renew a few of them. We can go to the house from 1 o'clock onwards."

That dampened her mood slightly - they would have to wait a few more hours. "Oh well, it is what it is." She said quietly. Feigning that she was going for another cup of tea, she got up, she passed the piece of paper to Dorea, who read it. She shared the same slightly disappointed look as her, but shrugged. The outcome would still be the same - they were still leaving today. "I'm going for a shower." Dorea said.

Dorea left the room, walked up the stairs and down the long corridor to go to the large bathroom at the end. It had been scrubbed within an inch of its life, and was now shiny and clean instead of grubby. She got the fright of her life when she entered the bathroom and saw, sitting in the bath, Kreacher, who appeared to be muttering to himself and was holding something under his loincloth. (For a split second Dorea felt sick as she thought he was doing something rather unpleasant). "What are you doing in here, Kreacher?" She asked, firmly.
"Kreacher did not see young mistress," the old elf grimaced, and under his breath, Dorea heard him mutter. "Nasty little blood traitor that she is, the brat."
"Didn't catch that last part, Kreacher," Dorea snapped at him. "Just what are you up to now? Dad won't be pleased if you've been smuggling stuff again."
"Kreacher has done nothing of the sort, young mistress," he grumbled again. "Mistresses' father is nothing but a nasty swine who broke his mother's heart. Oh, if mistress Walburga was still alive, she'd blast all these unnatural beasts and brats and traitors out the house-"
"Kreacher, what. are. you. doing. in. here?" Dorea shook the elf harshly, and could almost hear Hermione telling her off in her head, saying " oh Dorea, he isn't in his right mind ".
"Kreacher is cleaning."
"That's likely. This room has been spotless for the past week."
"Oh, the runt is as horrid as its sire. If my poor mistress-
"Oh yes, I'm sure she'd be horrified. Kreacher, hand me whatever you've got under your cloth. That's an order."