"It's not our daughter I'm concerned about," Richard said, more to himself than anyone else. Finally he sighed. "Very well then, just...just.." He stopped and decided not to finish the sentence. "Shall we have breakfast?" He asked instead.
"What would you like Hermione," Jean asked. "It's your first day back and I'll make whatever you want."
"How about you get a taste of a Hogwart's breakfast?" Hermione asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Winky, Dobby?"
"Yes Missus?" the two elves asked as they appeared.
"Could you cook breakfast for us?" Hermione asked. "Oh wait..." She remembered Harry getting in trouble when Dobby used magic at the Dursleys. "If you use magic here will it get me in trouble," She looked at Dobby knowingly.
"No missus," Dobby replied as he looked down at the floor. "Dobby purposely did magic that could be detected when Dobby got Master Harry in trouble. Dobby was trying to help Harry Potter. Dobby hopes Master and Missus aren't mad at Dobby."
"Of course not Dobby," Hermione replied. "We know you were trying to help. I just wanted to make sure I'm not accused like he was."
"Dobby and Winky will be careful," Winky replied. "And when Winky finishes breakfast can Winky clean this house," She asked.
"Do either of you have any problems with the elves cleaning today?" Hermione asked her parents who were just standing there amazed.
"No of course not," Jean answered finally. "If...if that's what they really want to do, but...are you sure it's right?"
"Yes mum, it is," Hermione replied. "One day I might understand it enough to explain it to you, but it's what they want," She turned to the elves. "Go for it; cook us a nice breakfast and then you can clean."
Both elves looked excited as they disappeared.
"We don't have much time to wait for them to cook too large of breakfast," Richard Granger said as he looked at his watch again. "Go tell them to make something small this morning. Maybe they can cook something larger another day."
Hermione smiled knowingly. "Shall we go tell them together?"
By the time they made it to the dining room, the table was already filled with an assortment of things to eat. Eggs, bacon, sausages, toast and numerous other breakfast items were already there. Plates were set out and Winky was busy magically filling juice glasses. Jean and Richard stared at the table in wonder.
"But...but...It was just..." Richard tried but failed to continue.
"This is only what Winky and Dobby could make quickly," Winky said apologetically. "If there is something special Missus or Missus Family wants, Dobby will make it."
"But...but.." Richard was sputtering again as Hermione led him to the table. "It's magic dad. I might not be able to do it this summer, but now at least you can get a taste of it."
"Taste is right," Jean said as she forked a bite of eggs into her mouth. "Oh this is delicious," she said when she swallowed.
"This will be fine Winky," Hermione told the elf who was staring nervously at the family. "In fact everything is perfect. How about you and Dobby eat with us?"
"Good house-elves eat in the kitchen," Winky replied.
"But friends eat with their families," Hermione said. "Remember that Harry and I expect you to be..." She stopped. She had been about to say part of their family. She then quickly finished. "We expect you to be our friends as well."
Winky looked uncertain but finally called Dobby. They took seats and started eating nervously.
"This food is wonderful," Jean said to the house-elves. "I wished you could cook for us every morning."
"Winky and Dobby can do that!" Dobby said excitedly. "Winky and Dobby would love to cook for Missus' family every day," He suddenly looked apprehensive as he asked. "Can Dobby and Winky cook dinner too?"
Hermione looked at her parents questioningly.
"Is it really alright?" Jean asked. "It seems..."
"The reason I was so interested last year, but, yes it it's fine. It really is what they want to do."
"Well of course then. This food is wonderful, but we can't have this much food every time, it's wasteful."
"House-elves do not waste food," Dobby said forcefully and then his eyes widened and he looked nervous before explaining. "We have magic to keep it fresh and then we can serve it the next time we need it."
"Oh," Jean replied. "Then I guess we're perfectly fine with it."
"Just tell Winky or Dobby if you want something special," Winky said.
....
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