--- Ten years after the Deaths of Roachmort and Dumbledore ---
“Harry? You ready to go?” Hermione said
Harry straightened and nodded as he tightened the heavy coat around him. “Which ones are we doing this time? I think we’ve only got about twenty magical hotspots left of the latest batch I managed to find in the records. Hopefully ones that haven't been claimed in the last thousand years. Do you want to do the Himalayas or Andes mountains first?”
Hermione seemed to think about it, “Let's do the Himalayas. I’ve always wanted to go to the top of Everest. What do you think, Dobby?”
“That sounds good, Ms. Granger,” Dobby answered.
“Dobby, it has been over ten years now that you’ve known me. You really can’t just call me Hermione?” She asked.
“Nope!” Dobby said cheerfully, “You’re still Ms. Granger to me.”
“Oh, Harry,” Hermione added, “By the way, are you doing anything for your twenty-fifth birthday? It’s nearly June already. I’m always so busy at the Ministry trying to push this or that policy through; time just flies by…”
“I thought I would just invite the group for a little party at my house. I was actually about to send the invitations this week,” Harry replied.
“Mansion you mean. That place is massive. But that’s good,” Hermione said, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen Neville and Luna. I can’t believe they’ve had two kids already.”
“Should we get going?” Dobby asked, interrupting Hermione’s reminiscing.
“Ah, sorry Dobby,” Hermione said, “Meet on the north side of the first site?”
Harry nodded, “Sounds good,”
Then with cracks of displaced air all three of them apparated away, starting their long journey to Nepal and the Himalayas. The three of them had been doing this ever since they had graduated from school. It was much harder for Hermione given her increasing importance in the Ministry, but she still managed to take vacations for weeks at a time for them to go on their adventures looking for a location for the house elves to live.
Hermione had slipped some laws into the books that would make things easier in the future. Such as forming a registry for who did and did not own a house elf and using Ministry funds to put all breeding pairs into Ministry control for ‘security’. Most purebloods only owned a single house elf, so the action hadn't been protested as much as Hermione had said she was expecting. Condensing the majority of the house elves in one place in the ministry was something that would make the next step after they found what they were looking for much easier.
After about a day’s travel to Nepal, they were all gathered on the north side of the first magical site. Dobby and Harry stood alert as they escorted Hermione into what appeared to be an abandoned snow covered mountain peak.
Hermione sat there and started casting her advanced contract magic with her eyes closed. Harry and Dobby remained on guard; they had been attacked a few times by resident wizards or magical beasts that didn’t appreciate their presence over the years. Harry had already cast some spells to hold back the biting wind and heat the air around them to a pleasant temperature.
After twenty minutes or so, Hermione opened her eyes and shook her head, “Ancient Contract is still up. Another bust.”
They apparated to the next site together and something similar happened. Occasionally there would be an abandoned fortress or building visible in the distance. But they didn’t approach, they had learned that lesson after a few close calls. The wards made by ancient wizards to defend their valuables were vicious and powerful. Something they had experienced first hand.
It was the eighth of the ten sites they were going to check, and it looked the same as all of the others. The flat expanse on the side of a mountain and heavy drifts of snow and ice. But as Hermione finished her magic, she gasped in shock.
“It… It is unbound! Oh by Merlin, it’s unbound. We’ve found it!”
Harry and Dobby stared at her.
“Truly, Ms. Granger?” Dobby asked, sounding almost hesitant falling back into his old speech patterns for a moment, “He - Dobby, I had never expected it to happen after so long searching…”
“Clear as day!” Hermione said with a laugh, “We can finally do it, Harry, Dobby. We can free them all!”
“You have the terms on you?” Harry asked, “And you’re sure they are the final ones we want? You know how important it will be…”
Hermione pulled a sheaf of papers from her bag and held it out to him. Harry scanned through the whole thing again and nodded. It was exactly as he remembered. It had taken literally years of arguing in creating this thing. And the consultation of several magical and non-magical lawyers to ensure that it was airtight.
Hermione needed to put restrictions in or the law of equivalent exchange wouldn’t let the house elves bind here without her paying something personal such as her own magic again. The main restriction they had decided on was that the elves couldn’t use their magic to kill or seriously harm someone with intelligence like humans or other magical sapient races. Immobilizing and stunning should still be on the table though.
They had argued about it fiercely as a group, but it was decided that it was a big enough disadvantage to the elves to possibly offset all the benefits they were getting. There were also other more minor constraints so things would work out, but the pacifism was the biggest sticking point they had discussed while formulating the terms.
But with this location once the contract was established it would no longer need her input to function and most importantly any costs would be taken on by the bound location. So the magic being given to the house elves in the deal would drain this hotspot somewhat. But just performing magic in a location for a long time generally increased the amount of magic normally there, so as they lived here it would likely increase its capacity over time enough to accommodate them. So in a way this isolated little hotspot was gaining its own benefits as well from the elves binding themselves to it.
Hermione spent the next five days using her magic to create the contract magically and binding it to this magical hotspot. Given her knowledge was directly from the Sanctum via Harry’s gift to her all those years ago, she was probably one of the most knowledgeable witches in this particular branch of magic in the world at the moment.
She finished casting, and the contract was bound and functioning properly. Hermione had done it, and now it was time for them to free the house elves now that they had a place to bring them to.
— — —
“...are you sure about this transfer of funds, Mr. Potter?”
Ragnok the Goblin said. He was the account manager of the Potter vault at Gringotts, “This is a significant amount of funds even for you," Ragnok continued, "Can you not at least inform me what you are planning to do with such a sum? Gringotts can guarantee whatever large transaction you are performing for a small fee. As long as it's legal.” Ragnok paused and then grinned, “Legal in the goblin nation that is.”
Harry’s lips turned upwards. Almost everything was legal in the goblin nation. All the individual clans made their own rules and were fiercely independent from each other. The only restrictions on them was following the strict goblin code of honor and settling all serious disputes between groups with regulated duels rather than open bloodshed.
He sat back and considered. It would be beneficial if he could get Ragnok’s help. The goblins were far more influential in the magical world than most wizards seemingly believed. An idea that seemed to stem from those advocating for wizarding superiority and racists that didn't believe that a goblin could ever be more influential than even the lowliest wizard in the world.
“Can you promise absolute confidentiality?” Harry said after a long moment.
Ragnok nodded slowly, “I swear on my clan that I will not share anything we discuss in this conversation with another without your permission.”
Making his decision, Harry nodded decisively. “I plan to take all the House elves from their current masters, with the help of some people I know,” Harry stated.
Ragnok’s eyes bulged, “All of them in Britain? This isn’t nearly enough funds for that… Why do you need so many?”
“No, you misunderstand. I’m stealing most of them, right now almost ninety percent of house elves in Britain are owned by the Ministry,” Harry said, “They clean floors in the areas of the building where no one goes, hardly anyone will notice them missing. The money is for the remaining ten percent. It is my goal to ensure that not a single house elf is enslaved in the world by the time I die. Once I’ve cleaned up Britain I’ll try to do the same to the rest of the world. There are only ten to fifteen self-sustaining breeding populations outside of Britain at the moment. And most of them are much smaller than the one in Britain. I plan to do the same thing to the rest of them one by one if things go well.”
Ragnok sat back and steepled his fingers looking thoughtful, “I’ll ask again. Why do you need so many? This will shake the magical world if you pull it off. The pureblood families will not be happy.”
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Harry shrugged, “I have my own reasons. That’s why we need discretion, don’t we? And it’s not like you won’t benefit. Now that you know that it will be happening, I’m sure there’s a few investments you could make for a good profit. Wizards will still need to clean their houses even without house elves. Enchanted items or other methods will fill the gap once outrage dies down in the pureblood families.”
Ragnok leaned forward and grinned, “Now, wizard, you are speaking my language. Going straight for the gold, ey? I approve. Very well, I will help you in this and try to make it as anonymous as I can. Stay in touch.”
Harry stood and bowed slightly, “May gold flow into your coffers,”
“And yours as well,” Ragnok replied as Harry left the Gringotts office.
— — —
The house elves of the Ministry furiously cleaned the floors of the lower levels until they were spotless. Almost no one ever came down here, but those that did were amazed at the cleanliness. As ordered the house elves all hid whenever a visitor appeared. Their population had grown massively in the last few years, nearly growing by ten times from their original population. Even with this massive expansion, most even within the Ministry were completely unaware that they were even down here.
Today a visitor arrived and as they did every other time, the house elves hid. The visitor to the lower levels walked to a large assembly chamber and unrolled a scroll with the current Minister’s signature on the bottom.
“Hermione Granger, calling assembly of all house elves under the employ of the ministry for inspection,” the woman said.
In a series of pops all the house elves apparated into the room filling the chamber to the brim. All rather dirty and wearing old rags.
Hermione reached into a pouch at her side and pulled out a single clean sock, putting down her inspection order by the Minister onto the floor next to her. Not that she was actually an inspector, Ragnok had bribed the man to say he inspected the house elves today instead of her. And the authority was in the one carrying the inspection document, not any specific person. The bribed ministry official’s silence was guaranteed by magical contract so even when he realized what was happening he couldn’t betray them.
Hermione held up the sock for emphasis to the assembled house elves who looked at the sock in horror.
“Do not worry,” Hermione said loudly, “You are all being transferred to a new master. The giving of clothes is only a temporary measure.”
Most of the elves relaxed at her words and nodded in understanding. Being given clothes by their masters was how they were released from service and transferred in the normal situation. As inspector, Hermione was technically a representative of the ministry and therefore counted as their master at the moment. But if the master didn’t want them as a slave anymore for some reason, giving a house elf clothes put them on a ticking clock.
If they didn’t find a new master to bind to then they would shrivel and die as they lost their magic. And many Pureblood families would refuse to bind to a house elf that had been rejected in some way, viewing it as ‘damaged goods’. So most house elves dreaded the day their masters would present them clothes.
Dobby apparated next to Hermione with Harry in tow, and she waited for a second for the surprise of the house elves to die down, their big eyes and small forms peering up at the two men.
Hermione gestured to Harry, “When I give you clothes, bind yourself to this man. He has paid for all of you and he is of the Potter family.”
The house elves all muttered to each other but looked excited at the prospect of serving a Potter. Harry hadn’t really paid for them, but he had paid the bribes at least to pull this off so that sort of counted? Hermione wasn’t one to talk though considering how she had freed Dobby all those years ago.
This process would severely impede Harry’s magic for a short while. But the Potter family had many blood relatives bound to the family contract floating around to carry the load of draining all that magic by the house elves. Just because Harry was the only one left with the Potter name didn’t mean he didn’t have relatives that had taken a different last name over the centuries. People who still had the Potter family contract in their blood and would donate their magic to support all the house elves that Harry would be taking on.
Hermione began the process of freeing the elves with sock after sock before binding all of the elves to Harry and his family contract. By the end Harry sagged and looked a little pale, but it was done. All the elves had gathered in an abandoned field they had prepared ahead of time in preparation for this. All the house elves were gathered there somewhere protected from the eyes of the Ministry.
Dobby apparated Hermione straight back into her office in the ministry and she sat down and started doing paperwork immediately in case someone noticed the missing house elves. She had to look distracted and busy if someone walked in on her. Dobby had apparated her to the lower levels so everyone at work could testify she had been in her office working for the whole time of the incident.
Dobby disappeared with a crack. Him and Harry would help the house elves get settled.
— — —
“This is the place,” Harry said to the ranks of assembled house elves, “I know that what happens next will be frightening to many of you. I will soon no longer be your master. So my last orders to you are to try to make this place the best you can. It will be your new home where you can make your own decisions, and have your own society away from the wizards who would exploit you.”
The house elves muttered and glanced at each other nervously as Harry brought out a sock.
“You do not understand now, but I’m here to tell you that Dobby here used to be a house elf. If you take the sock and bind to this magical hotspot then you will become like him.”
Well, a little weaker, Harry thought, but close enough.
He handed the sock to the closest elf and it froze as the contract binding it to Harry broke. Everyone stared at it as it quaked in fear and looked like it was about to cry.
“Bind to this location,” Harry said calmly, “Think of it as my last order as your master.”
The elf perked up at that as it seemed to understand his words in a more familiar perspective. It closed its eyes and then suddenly groaned. It pulsed and its body twisted as it grew to the size of a full human. Perhaps a little shorter, 1.2 meters tall and its head up to Harry’s chest. It was now apparent that the elf had been a she now that she was laying naked on her side in the snow. She stood and inspected herself before feeling her bald tall animal ears on her head with her hands.
“Pinky?” One of the elves said hesitantly, and the elf woman focused on the voice in the crowd. “Yes?” she replied and seemed surprised at the change in her own voice.
Harry reached into his spatially expanded pouch and threw Pinky a packaged full set of clothes. They were enchanted to be automatically size adjusting when you put them on. All of Harry’s clothes these days had that enchantment, he had learned from his Hogwarts days. She blinked but quickly put on the clothes as the rest of the house elves present watched her new form with fascination.
“Who wants to go next?” Harry asked.
And after a moment's hesitation, they came in a wave clambering for Harry to give them a sock. Dobby was sobbing quietly in the corner and Harry smiled as more and more transformed into their more humanoid forms. All were much shorter than Harry had expected.
Dobby must have grown taller because of how much magic he had ended up receiving from Hermione. She still got tired on the long apparition trips sometimes because she had less magic than the two of them. She was still heads and shoulders more powerful than most people, so it didn’t interfere with her daily life too much though.
Finally, it was done. All of the elves were converted and bound to this isolated spot on the side of the unnamed mountain in the Himalayas.
Harry let the elves mill about for thirty minutes or so adjusting themselves to their new forms and freedom. All bowed and thanked Harry, but didn’t seem to want to talk to him on a personal level, too intimidated by him to talk for long.
He clapped his hands and all the elves immediately stopped talking to him and looked at him with worshipful looks. Seems old habits die hard. Dobby had recovered his composure and had been talking with many of the transformed elves and turned to look at Harry as well.
“I will soon be putting up some protection around this place,” Harry said, “Some wards I know, to hold back the weather, keep things warm in here… But the most important is the Fidelus charm. I will be making…” Harry pointed at Dobby, “Dobby the secret keeper. Please remain in this spot for about a day or two so I can set it up. After we finish, Dobby will have to tell you the secret again in order for you to find your way back here if you choose to leave. Just ask him if you want to bring someone else here. Or if you need anything from me, I have lots of funds that I’m willing to donate to whatever you need to survive and make a home up here. As you can see it's only a sheet of ice right now."
Harry took a deep breath, “As I said before, you are free. Organize yourselves as a group, go out in the world and live your life alone, whatever you wish. I am no longer your master, just a friend. In the future I may bring more house elves here to bind to the contract and free them as you now all have been. All I ask in return is that you don’t spread my or my friends' involvement in this to wizards. They will not agree with my actions.”
Pinky pushed up to the front of the crowd, “We will not betray you, Sir Harry! These new forms are amazing, sir! I will carry your secret to my grave! All us house-elves will!”
Various calls of loyalty and approval came from the assembled house elves. Harry kept smiling at the crowd. It was too bad that Hermione couldn’t be here for this, he was sure she would be just as overwhelmed as Dobby had been at seeing the goal she had been working so hard towards for years accomplished.
“Thank you, Pinky,” Harry said, “All of you. I’ll get started on the wards now, so just let me know if there’s anything you need while I’m here.”
They were on an ice sheet at least ten meters thick at the moment, so it was lucky for Harry that the wards were spherical. He just spent the extra time to make sure the wards covered a large enough area that they would cover enough space even if the elves chose to live way down below on top of the stone itself.
A day later, none of the elves had asked Harry for anything yet. They had carved some caves in the ice that stayed heated by their magic. But other than that they mostly sat around and talked about their new situation. Dobby was handing out food from the spatially expanded pouch that they had brought.
Finally, it was time for the final step. Dobby came over and Harry finished the spell and suddenly he had no clue where he was. He knew all about it, but he couldn’t put it on a map if he tried. Was it in the mountains? He couldn’t even remember that much honestly.
“Look at this place on top of the Himalayas mountains,” Dobby said loudly so everyone could hear. And immediately Harry remembered along with the other elves gathered around, now that Dobby the secret keeper had told them.
Harry shook his head, “That was unsettling,” he said. It reminded him a little too much of how he had been under the memory charms during his second summer at the Dursleys.
— — —
“Are you sure it will be alright?” Dobby asked nervously, “You won’t open the store without me? We both know how bad you are with money.”
“I won’t,” Harry promised easily, “You know it isn’t even a lie about my vacation. I’ve never really explored Asia properly despite being able to apparate everywhere. It should be a fun distraction while you’re helping out around here. Will it be okay by yourself? They already would have crowned you king if you had let them.”
Dobby shuffled from side to side, “They’ll learn, they’ll pick someone better suited for it once they settle in. They’ll understand what a council and democracy are for after the mental conditioning begins to finally wear off. And with so many of us together, surviving even up in this place won’t be difficult. We can apparate all over the world to get food if we need to.”
“Well, best of luck,” Harry said, “Have you decided on a name yet for this place?”
“Elfhome is the most popular right now,” Dobby said with a small laugh.
“Very literal,” Harry said drily.
“Have a good vacation,” Dobby said as Harry prepared to depart.
“I already did,” Harry replied just before disappearing from the mountain in a crack of displaced air.