Disclaimer: I have several material wishes. I want to own stock in Coca-Cola and Apple. I want to own a condo on the beach. And, I want to own Harry Potter. Unfortunately, none of them are mine.

Chapter 1

Back to School

Upon waking on the morning of September 1, Harry Potter debated whether he should take one last swim before having breakfast. As he thought, he opened the French doors and suggested, Hedwig, his owl, go ahead and fly to Hogwarts. She playfully nipped his ear and took off toward the school.

After spending a relaxing hour in the pool, Tangie, one of the Tonks family's house elves, reminded him breakfast was almost ready. Harry thanked her and went back upstairs to his room to shower and dress for the day.

Sitting at the table buttering toast in a pose reminiscent of the first time Harry had eaten breakfast with the Tonkses was Andromeda Tonks, who, along with her husband, had been named Harry's guardian at the beginning of the summer. She smiled at Harry as he took his accustomed seat and reached for the toast.

"I know Ninie has your trunk all packed," said Andie, "and so I wondered if you had something special you'd like to do in the two hours we have before I apparate you to the train?"

In addition to the notice that he had been made prefect and the accompanying rule book, Harry's annual school letter had informed him that the customary prefects' meeting would be held at ten o'clock that morning—a full hour before the train left the station—rather than during the trip to school. No explanation was given for the change, but when he'd discussed it the week before with his fellow prefects Ron and Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger, they had decided it probably had something to do with increased security due to Voldemort's return.

While Harry was still thinking about his answer, Andie's husband, Ted, and their adult daughter, Nymphadora, who only answered to "Tonks" or "Dora," entered the family dining room and took their seats at the table. "Morning," said Harry.

"Good morning," echoed Ted.

"M-m-m-morning," yawned Tonks reaching for the coffee pot. She was never awake until after that first cup.

"Harry and I were just discussing what to do before he leaves for the train," said Andie.

"I think I'd just like to hang out with all of you," said Harry. "If that's all right?" Even after a whole summer with the family, Harry was sometimes still a little unsure of what the Tonkses expected of him.

"That sounds great," agreed Tonks. "I took the morning off to spend with you and get your trunk to the train."

"I did the same," said Ted.

"Why don't we have a mini-chess tournament," suggested Andie.

"Good idea," enthused Ted.

"I'm playing Tonks first," said Harry.

"Forty-five minute limit per game," suggested Andie.

"Agreed," said Tonks.

The family quickly finished breakfast and moved into the sitting room. Harry and Tonks sat at one games table and, after setting the timer, began their game as Andie and Ted did the same across the room at the other games table. After twenty minutes, Harry and Tonks had reached a stalemate and so they totaled their points and determined Harry was the winner. Andie, the family chess champion had quickly defeated Ted and the couple moved over to watch the other game.

The two winners now played each other as the two losers watched and offered advice. When Harry finally made the move that allowed Andie to checkmate his king, she grinned at him and suggested that in the future he might want to keep an eye on both bishops. Laughing, Harry stood and bowed to the family's reigning chess champion.

With only fifteen minutes remaining before it was necessary to leave to meet the Hogwarts Express, the family enjoyed a quick cup of tea. Then Tonks went up to Harry's room to get his trunk and Hedwig's cage. Taking a tight hold on each item, Tonks made a half turn and apparated from Harry's room to reappear seconds later at the apparition point just inside Platform 9 ¾. She had just moved to the side when first Andie and Harry and then Ted appeared.

The train station was strangely quiet. Harry had never been to the station so early before and was surprised at the lack of activity. He had just turned to wish the Tonkses farewell when he was swept into a tight hug by his best friend, Ron Weasley's, mother. "Hello, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry slightly gasping for air. Mrs. Weasley's hugs were nothing if not exuberantly strong.

"Hello, Harry, dear," she said smiling. "It was so sweet of you to dance with me Saturday night at the ball," she continued. "I thought I would never get away from that horrible Millbridge woman."

"It was my pleasure, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry flushing as Ron and his sister, Ginny, grinned mockingly while their other best friend Hermione Granger stared at him open-mouthed.

Since ministry for magic employees received two free tickets to the ministry's annual end of summer ball, Harry had attended using Tonks's extra ticket because her fiancé, Remus Lupin, was unable to attend. Ron's father had recently been made head of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects and, naturally, they had attended as well. Because extra tickets were rather expensive, the Weasley offspring had stayed at home with Hermione who had visited for the last week of the summer.

"I think, perhaps, you four should go ahead and board the train," warned Tonks quietly. "It's probably safer not to loiter."

"That's true," sighed Mrs. Weasley.

She hugged each of the four students and attempted to steer them toward the train. Harry hung back to hug first Andie and then Tonks. When he held out his hand to shake with Ted, the older man pulled him into a tight embrace. "Have a great term, Harry," said Ted.

"Remember to write often and in French," said Andie.

"We'll see you at Christmas," called Tonks. "Or maybe at the first Hogsmeade weekend."

"I'll try, I will, and see you then," answered Harry as Mrs. Weasley pushed him and his trunk toward the train.

"Be good," said Mrs. Weasley as he boarded the Hogwarts Express.

Harry just waved and tugged his trunk and Hedwig's cage through the door way following Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. They soon found a compartment and stored their trunks. Luna Lovegood, a Ravenclaw in Ginny's year, followed them into the compartment.

"May I leave my things in here, too," asked Luna.

"Of course," agreed Harry. He took her trunk and carefully stowed it on the rack next to his own.

As he turned around, Neville Longbottom, a Gryffindor sixth year, entered the carriage tugging on his trunk.

"Hello, everyone," said Neville. "Do you mind if I share your compartment?"

"Of course not," said Harry. "Let me help you with your trunk."

After wrestling Neville's surprisingly heavy trunk onto the rack, Harry turned and said, "Exactly where is the prefects' compartment? We only have five minutes before the meeting starts."

"It's at the front of the train, just behind the engine," said Hermione importantly. "Neville, can you and Luna watch our stuff?"

"I'm sorry, Hermione," said Neville, who was genuinely remorseful, "but I have to go to the prefects' meeting."

"Oh," said Hermione surprised. "Well, what about you, Luna?"

"I'm a prefect as well," said the blonde ethereally.

"You made prefect?" said Hermione surprised.

"Of course," said Luna. "I had the highest grades in my year, you know."

"Oh," said Hermione. "Well, what do we do about our stuff?"

"I'll cast a strong locking charm Tonks taught me over the summer," said Harry. "Only the caster can unlock it." He looked up and said, "Okay, everyone into the corridor so I can close the door and cast the charm."

The six students moved into the corridor. Harry closed the door and with a complicated wand movement silently cast an incantation. Since she did not hear him cast the charm, Hermione assumed Harry had forgotten the incantation and so she said commiseratingly, "It's okay, Harry. I know a locking charm." She raised her wand.

Puzzled, Harry said, "Well, if you don't think my charm is enough, feel free to cast yours on top of it."

"On top of what," asked Hermione, as she stopped mid-spell.

"The locking charm I just cast," answered Harry.

"You didn't cast anything," pointed out Hermione rather bossily.

"Yes, I did," disagreed Harry. "I did it silently. Tonks taught me over the summer that silent casting is a very important part of stealth. If you don't believe I cast the spell, try to open the door."

Sure that Harry was bluffing, Hermione confidently approached the door and attempted to open it. It would not budge. Flushing, she turned around to face the others, "I guess you did cast it, Harry," she said.

Harry just smiled and the six students trooped to the first car for their meeting. Once in the prefects' compartment, Harry, Neville, and Luna were greeted by several of the other students including the head boy, a Ravenclaw named Conrad Wright, and the head girl, a Hufflepuff named Melanie Grey. Harry had first met the new heads at a party given by Conrad's parents and had thereafter seen them at several other functions. Luna and Neville, as well as many of the other prefects, had attended most of the same summer parties.

Conrad stood and called for attention. He and Melanie quickly provided an overview of the duties and privileges of a prefect and handed out the passwords of the various houses. The overview was a basic summary of the rule book.

Conrad then got to the purpose of the early meeting. A mentor program for first years was being implemented. Each non-seventh year prefect would be assigned a first year and would be expected to help him or her find his or her way around the castle, provide homework help, if needed, and, generally, be available to help the assigned first years in any way possible.

"There are two inherent problems," Conrad said. "The first is that this year Slytherin only has one sixth year prefect." He nodded toward Blaise Zabini. Harry wondered what had happened to Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson, both of whom had been fifth year Slytherin prefects the previous year, and why no other Slytherin sixth years had been made prefect.

"This means," continued Conrad, "that if Slytherin has more than three new first years, another mentor will have to take on the extra Slytherins. Also, we only have forty prefects assigned to participate in the mentor program and there are forty-nine new first years. Now, fifth years can only be assigned one first year for a total of eight. That leaves forty-one first years for the thirty-two sixth years. Of those, three are also quidditch captains who also can only be assigned one first year leaving thirty-eight first years for twenty-nine of you to divide among you. Obviously, nine of you will have to have two first years to mentor. Do I have any volunteers to take two rather than one?"

Hermione's hand shot up in the air. All six Hufflepuff sixth year prefects also volunteered. Finally, Blaise Zabini also raised his hand. Melanie was writing down the names of the volunteers while Conrad continued speaking. "Now, do any of you volunteer to mentor the extra Slytherins if any," he asked.

Harry raised his hand and was surprised when both Neville and Luna did as well.

"Thank you all for volunteering," said Conrad. He had anticipated problems getting anyone to offer to mentor the Slytherins and was frankly surprised when his speech about molding young minds proved unnecessary. "After you have escorted your houses' first years to your common rooms after the feast, we will have a short meeting in the Great Hall so that Professor McGonagall can assign you to your first years and answer any questions about the mentoring program. Melanie will now hand out the train patrol schedules and school patrols for the first week. We will discuss permanent nightly castle patrols at the first prefects' meeting on Friday night at eight."

Melanie passed around patrol sign up sheets and smilingly informed them that the sixth year prefects who had not served the previous year had the first hour patrol of the train starting immediately.

Harry and Neville, along with the other new sixth year prefects, quickly divided the train and began their patrols. When they passed the compartment in which they had left their things, Harry quickly cast the unlocking charm so that Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna could enter.

When their patrol was finally over, Neville and Harry thankfully returned to their compartment. Ron and Ginny were playing exploding snap, Hermione had her nose stuck in a thick tome, and Luna was apparently napping. Ron's owl, Pig, was perched on the back of Ron's seat. Whenever the cards exploded, Pig hooted happily. Crookshanks, Hermione's kneazle/cat mix was curled up next to Luna. Neville and Harry squeezed in between Crookshanks and the wall.

"How was your first patrol," asked Hermione smiling.

"Fine," said Harry.

Before Neville could do more than nod, Ninie, the second of the Tonkses' three house elves appeared in the compartment carrying a picnic hamper.

"Young master forgot his lunch," she said importantly.

"I'm sorry, Ninie," said Harry. "I didn't realized you had packed me a lunch."

"Tangie did it. It's her day to cook," said Ninie. "Miss Dora was supposed to remind you, but she forgot. Mistress said that you would eat this lunch instead of filling up on candy on the train and I am to stay here until you have finished your food."

"Harry," began Hermione, "exactly who is this?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," apologized Harry hastily. "Ninie, this is my friend Hermione Granger. I believe you know everyone else."

Hermione held out her hand and said, "I'm pleased to meet you, Ninie."

Ninie ignored Hermione's hand and said to the compartment in general, "There is food enough for all. Now start eating, Master Harry."

"I will, Ninie," agreed Harry. "Thanks, again."

Ninie looked at Harry carefully. "Young master must put on good school robes for feast tonight," she ordered. "Young master must make good impression on first years."

"Yes, Ninie," said Harry smiling. "I will wear the good school robes."

Ninie nodded.

"Exactly whose elf are you, Ninie?" demanded Hermione.

"Ninie is the lady's maid/valet for the Tonks family," answered the annoyed elf.

Hermione, who was obsessed with house elf rights, opened her mouth to lecture Harry on the evils of house elf slavery but was cut off by Luna's saying, "I like Ninie, Harry. Since you've been living with the Tonkses, you've dressed much better. I know Ninie's the reason for that."

Ninie glowed with pleasure at the compliment.

"She is part of the reason," agreed Harry. "At first, she would lay out the clothes and shoes I was supposed to wear for each occasion. Then she would be there to help me adjust my collar or tie and remind me to use my hair styling products. All the while, she would talk to me about why the outfit was appropriate and what matched what and why. By the end of June, she was giving hints about what I needed to change. Before I knew it, whenever Andie would hand me my copy of an invitation, I would be able to choose the right outfit and shoes without even thinking about it."

"They don't have any other house elves, do they," asked Hermione faintly.

"Yes, Hermione," said Harry quietly, "they do. Tangie does the majority of the housework and Potsie is the poolman/gardener. They take turns cooking and all help out with the major housework. Without them, there is no way Casablanca could stay so well-kept."

Hermione was in full anti-house elf mode. "Surely Mrs. Tonks could use magic to keep the housework done, and Mr. Tonks could do the gardening. I mean, it's not like it's difficult to do with magic," she decreed.

"And just when are they supposed to find the time to do it?" asked Ginny.

"What do you mean," asked Hermione. "Your family does without a house elf. Why couldn't the Tonkses?"

"First of all," argued Ginny, "Mum doesn't work outside the home. Since she's home all day every day, she can do a few chores each day and by the end of the week, she's mostly done. Then on Monday, it all starts again. For heavy stuff, well, she does have seven children."

"A good thing, too," said Ron. "Except for watching kids, Dad's useless around the house."

"Secondly," continued Ginny as if Ron had never interrupted, "Casablanca is ten times the size of the Burrow. A muggle house that size would need a huge staff including a team of gardeners. Finally," finished Ginny, "the Tonkses entertain a lot. It takes help to prepare for and clean up after guests. There's no way Mrs. Tonks could work full-time and do it all."

"Mrs. Tonks works," said Hermione surprised.

"Of course," said Luna. "She edits Witch Weekly and Teen Witch."

"She's on a bunch of committees with my Gran, too," added Neville.

"She works," repeated Hermione.

Harry nodded. "A lot of their entertaining is people the magazines are interviewing or trying to interview and people whom she's trying to get to give to the charities. Then there're Ted's colleagues and the broom makers."

"Broom makers," parroted Ron.

"Yeah," said Harry, "Ted and his friends design brooms on the side. They're always trying to get one of the broom companies to buy their designs. This summer, I got to try some of the prototypes. It was great."

"That still doesn't give them the right to enslave another creature," exclaimed Hermione.

"Hermione," said Neville patiently. "What is the difference in having threstrals pull the school carriages and having a house elf do your cooking and cleaning?"

"Thestrals are magical beasts," stated Hermione. "House elves are magical beings."

"Are both of them not working for wizards? Are both of them not fed and housed at the wizards' expense? And, most importantly, are both not content," asked Neville, "because honestly, if you ask most house elves, they are perfectly happy working for wizards. I've never spoken to a thestral, but they look well-cared for and happy when they're pulling the carriages to Hogwarts.

"Don't get me wrong, some people like the Malfoys do mistreat their house elves, but all it takes is one complaint to the magical creatures division of the DMLE, and, if the complaint is genuine, the house elf is quickly reassigned either to another member of the family or to a government building—it's the elf's choice."

Everyone except Luna stared at Neville in surprise. He had just made the longest, most passionate non-herbology-related declaration any of them had ever heard from him.

Harry smiled, "Well said, Neville."

Neville blushed. "I just wanted Hermione to understand that most house elves are part of the family. Kind of like a muggle housekeeper or butler."

Hermione frowned and bit her bottom lip. "But in the muggle world, the servants can leave any time they want. They aren't forced to do things they don't want to and they aren't made to wear demeaning clothes," she insisted.

"Aren't they," asked Harry. "Aren't there hideous uniforms for maids and housekeepers? Don't gardeners and poolmen wear ugly coveralls? And really, if she doesn't have another job to go to, is an unhappy maid going to up and quit her job? Where would she live and how would she pay to live there? How could she afford to eat? Don't misunderstand, Hermione, I'm against slavery, but are house elves really slaves? They're bound to serve their masters, but domestics sign contracts agreeing to work for their employers, too. I just think you should try actually talking to some house elves and maybe someone from the magical creatures department before you continue with S.P.E.W."

"Master Harry's friend is very wrong," said Ninie indignantly. "House elves are not slaves. We are family. Bad masters and mistresses get punished. They lose all their elves to new people. Master Ted and Mistress Andie are good wizards. We don't want to leave them. Now, EAT!"

Ninie began passing around plates, napkins, sandwiches, and flasks of lemonade. She then offered each student a choice between an apple, an orange, a banana, or a bunch of grapes. Once everyone had some food, she continued to cajole them to eat.

When Hermione suggested that Ninie eat as well, the elf gave Hermione a lecture on the appropriate times for elves to eat. As Ninie put it, "Elves eat before the wizards not with them."

After making sure that Harry had eaten three sandwiches and two selections of fruit, Ninie gathered the empty plates and flasks, the various peelings, and the used napkins and returned them to the hamper. She reminded Harry to wash his hands and face before donning his school robes and disappeared with a "plop."

"Boy, Harry," teased Ginny. "I guess we know who rules the Tonks family."

Harry blushed slightly. "Yeah," he agreed. "It's definitely Ninie. I've only seen Potsie twice and, if she didn't bring out all the meals, I'd probably never see Tangie either, but, Ninie, I see all the time."

"She reminds me of our elf, Bena," said Neville. "When I was little, she was my nanny, and she still bosses me around. When I started Hogwarts, Gran made Bena the lady's maid/valet just like Ninie. I bet Ninie was Tonks's nanny."

"I'll have to write Tonks and ask her," said Harry. "She certainly does boss all of us around. Maybe she was Andie's nanny, too."

The rest of the train ride passed quickly. The other four took their turns patrolling. The snack lady brought her cart around, but Ron was the only one in their compartment who bought anything. He offered to share, but no one else was hungry. They finally changed into their robes just as the train pulled into Hogsmeade station. After making sure no stray students were left on the train, the six friends shared a carriage to the school.