Although Winky missed her old family, she was thrilled to be serving a new one. She now had a master and several mistresses, and there was always plenty to do.
Winky had quickly embraced her new role, donning a tiny maid dress that suited her perfectly. She settled in effortlessly with the friendly group, taking charge of cooking, cleaning, and laundry. While she couldn't be given clothes directly by her master—because that would be seen as a symbol of dismissal and shame—she had no trouble managing the laundry herself. House-elves were highly efficient and empathetic, often anticipating the needs of their owners without being asked—whether it was preparing tea, providing snacks, cleaning up messes, or making sure beds were neat and tidy.
Ryan was her main master, and though only he had the power to free her, Winky had no desire to be freed. House-elves enjoyed serving and working for a family, and she found great joy in making her new family comfortable. While she would happily take orders from Yue, Serenity, Rachel, and even Luna, it was Ryan who held her loyalty and her bond.
She quickly started picking up on her master and Mistresses likes and dislikes. What kind of food and snacks they enjoyed, how they liked their drinks, what places needed to be cleaned and what not to touch. They never punished her for anything either and were incredibly kind to her.
She also learned about the house in London and took to cleaning up there as well making sure there was no dust, the furniture was cleaned and house aired out.
Things can get messy pretty quick living with so many girls and a teen boy with guest's coming and going at all times.
~~~
Ryan sat, working diligently on his Astronomy paper. The others were scattered around the room, each absorbed in their own tasks, yet all somehow present in the shared space. It was one of those rare, peaceful moments in the midst of their hectic school lives, and Ryan couldn't help but appreciate it.
Ryan leaned back in his chair, glancing around at his companions. Yue sat across from him, casually popping fruit into her mouth as she ran her foot slowly up and down his leg under the table. Her actions were subtle, a mix of teasing and affection, but Ryan couldn't help but notice the warmth it brought. He briefly caught her eye, and she smiled, her red eyes gleaming with something playful.
Luna was lost in her own world, enjoying a bowl of pudding and sipping apple juice. Her odd, whimsical nature always seemed to make any situation more colorful. Today, however, she was unusually quiet, as if lost in thought. Rachel, sitting next to her, flipped through an old tome she had pulled from their private library, occasionally feeding Nyx, her raven, some seeds. Her focus was sharp, but there was a relaxed air about her. The tension she used to carry seemed to have softened over time.
In the corner of the room, Serenity was visible only to Luna, her figure hidden in the shadows as she worked her way through the day's tasks. The potion supplies they had "borrowed" from Snape's lab were being carefully organized and replacing the lower-quality materials in the lab. Serenity was a meticulous worker, her movements calculated, as though she could read the exact state of each ingredient with just a glance.
"Master," came a familiar high-pitched voice, breaking the tranquil silence. Winky appeared at the door, her small frame barely noticeable beneath the tray of food she carried. Her tiny maid dress, perfectly suited to her, fluttered as she scurried into the room, eyes bright with excitement.
"I made your favorite sandwiches, Master," Winky said, her voice eager as she set the tray down in front of Ryan. "And fresh tea, just the way you like it."
Ryan smiled, reaching for a sandwich and nodding gratefully. "Thanks, Winky. You're the best."
The elf beamed with pride, her entire demeanor lighting up as she watched him enjoy the food. With a quick, happy bow, she moved to the others, ensuring everyone was taken care of, her presence always in the background but never unnoticed.
Yue's footwork was more persistent now, sending small waves of warmth through Ryan's body. He glanced at her again, her playful smile still lingering as she took another piece of fruit. Serenity's eyes, even though hidden, flicked toward them, and Ryan caught the briefest of nods from her—a silent acknowledgment of the bond they shared.
There was something deeply satisfying about the dynamics of this group. The balance they had created together was a rare comfort for Ryan, a stark contrast to the chaos of the outside world.
The days had become a mix of normal school activities and quiet moments like these. Hermione, Harry, and Ron would occasionally join them in the library for study sessions or simple hangouts, though Ron's failed attempts to answer the Ravenclaw common room riddles never failed to amuse everyone.
Ryan could already hear his voice echoing through the stone walls as he tried once more. "What's the answer this time, Ron?" he would ask, only to watch Ron falter and get the riddle wrong again. It was all in good fun, though.
But as much as Ryan enjoyed their moments with the Gryffindors, his mind often wandered back to the girls around him. Their quiet support, their silent gestures, their loyalty—it all combined to make him feel like he was part of something far greater than just himself.
Luna, as always, was in her own world, but it was a world Ryan found himself drawn to. Her carefree nature was contagious, and her curious mind always made for interesting conversations. It was amusing to watch Hermione's more serious demeanor get flustered by Luna's odd comments, especially when Luna would mention strange creatures or offer bizarre explanations. Ryan knew that Hermione, despite her frustration, secretly enjoyed it. It was just hard for her to admit, especially with her tendency to be so practical.
He also couldn't help but find joy in watching Hermione's growing feelings for him. It was subtle—almost unspoken—but Ryan could sense the way she looked at him when she thought no one was paying attention. Yue, of course, enjoyed teasing her about it, but Ryan wasn't going to do anything about it. Hermione, like Luna, was too young, and he had no intention of crossing any lines with them. Not until they were older at least.
In fact, he had made it a point to keep things appropriate. Luna and Hermione had their place in his life, and it was one of affection and care, but it wouldn't go further than that. Luna would join them for cuddles, share hand-holding, and receive gentle forehead kisses, but the more adult things were kept separate. The bond they shared was pure, untainted by anything inappropriate.
The rest of the group understood, too. Yue, Rachel, and Serenity, all respected the boundaries Ryan set. They didn't need to speak about it—they just understood.
As the afternoon stretched on, the group fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that only those who truly understood each other could share. Ryan's mind wandered, but not in a way that made him uneasy. There was peace in this family of sorts, and it was something Ryan never wanted to lose.
The quiet moments were rare in his life, but when they happened, Ryan made sure to savor them and for now, that was enough.