He had no idea Hermione had taken the little elf aside just after lunch and made sure Dobby knew to 'allow' Harry to cook dinner that evening, while Harry was suggesting to Neville he join them for a shopping trip to the muggle world a few days after Christmas. That talk was along similar lines to the ones she'd been having with the elf over the past week plus, including the previous day.
Hermione walked in and asked if she could help by peeling the vegetables again. A job Harry was happy to allow her to do.
When she saw how much plum conserve he was using she asked, "Won't that make it overly sweet?"
"Nope," he smiled back. "The sugar will caramelise and, for the most part, allow the flavour of the plums to come forward. The rosemary will also act to neutralise the sugar a fair bit, too.
"I know your parents like to keep sugar intake down; but, I think this'll still work, due to most of the sugar being burned off in the process."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After putting the dinner on to slow roast, Harry made sure his hands were completely clean of the sticky concoction and called on Dobby to make dessert.
Then he went and collected parchment, ink and quills and sat at the dinette table.
He'd decided to write a letter to Headmistress Lady Marchbanks to organise a meeting. He thought he and Hermione needed to visit her in person to let her know of their plans not to return to the school once it recommenced. He liked her and didn't want news of their withdrawal to surprise the woman.
As he was writing, Hermione came and sat down beside him and was about to read over his shoulder, when she suddenly stopped.
Instead, she asked, "Mind if I read while you write?"
He immediately turned to her with a smile and said, "Thank you for asking. And, yes, you may."
~ # ~
Lady Griselda Marchbanks
Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Scotland, United Kingdom
Headmistress,
My betrothed, Miss Hermione Granger, and I seek permission to meet with you at your convenience in the very near future. We wish to discuss with you what we are planning to do with regards to our further education.
No doubt you are aware I hold no regard for at least one of your professors, Professor Albus Dumbledore, and do not wish to entangle myself or my betrothed in a situation that can easily be avoided. I feel the man represents too much of a threat to me at present.
I, accompanied by my betrothed, seek an audience with you so you are aware of our decision well before it becomes public. We both hold you in high regard and wish to ensure ourselves you are not tarnished as a result of our actions.
We have access to a floo.
Yours sincerely,
Lord Harrison J Potter
Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter
c/- Granger Residence, Wimbledon
~ # ~
As he finished and sat back, he asked, "What do you think?"
She thought for a few moments longer as she reread the letter. Then replied, "Just the right amount of foreboding, I think. Are you using Hedwig or Dobby?"
"Too close to Christmas not to need an immediate delivery; so, Dobby," he replied.
After signing the letter he folded it into an envelope and called Dobby to deliver it for him. Dobby, of course, was happy to comply.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
While she was sending off the last of the acceptance letters for new staff at Hogwarts, Dobby popped in alongside Marchbanks's desk.
Marchbanks immediately turned to him and asked, "Hello. What brings you here?"
Dobby immediately offered the letter and replied, "A letter for you from the Great Master Harry Potter, Sir, Lady Headmistresses, Ma'am."
With barely a change of expression, Marchbanks plucked the letter out of Dobby's fingers and muttered, "Thank you." Then turned away as Dobby popped away again.
Flicking it open she used the charm to straighten and smooth the sheet out before beginning to read.
"Hmmm," she muttered. "Expected."
She then set the letter aside and began to write a response.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
About ten minutes later a Hogwarts house elf popped in to the Granger home next to Harry, who was still sitting at the dinette, and offered him a letter.
"From new Headmistress Lady," said the elf.
Harry gestured to the table before him and said, "On the table, please."
As soon as the letter appeared there, he said, "Thank you." And the elf popped away again.
Unusually, he didn't ask for the name of the elf. It was pointless as there was over a hundred elves working in Hogwarts and they all pretty much worked as one succinct unit. So, it was very likely that, if he received another letter from Hogwarts, a different elf would deliver it.
A quick few detection charms on the letter showed nothing amiss, so he quickly opened it and read.
~ # ~
Lord Harrison James Potter
Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter
c/- Miss Hermione Granger
Wimbledon, England
Lord Potter,
Thank you for you letter.
Relating to your request, I shall be available at 9.00am tomorrow morning to meet with you in my secure office.
The floo address is Headmistress's Office, Hogwarts. And the password for your visit will be 'Albus is a naughty boy'.
With much pleasure I look forward to meeting with you and Miss Granger at that time.
Lady Griselda Marchbanks
Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
~ # ~
As Hermione walked in, Harry silently offered her the letter. And, after accepting it, she was quick to read it.
Looking over the top of it to him as she lowered it, she said, "Her mention of how her office is secure is telling."
.
.
.
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