the_debt_of_time

Tilly got to the plate at the exact same time and sent Hermione a challenging look.
"Tilly will take young Miss's plate."
Hermione pulled the plate back with a frown. "Tilly, I can clear away my own plate."
Tilly persisted, however. Though rather than the fake tears of the night before that
Hermione was prepared to ignore this time, the house-elf began growling. Wide-eyed,
Hermione promptly released the plate.
Tilly took the plate and beamed with the same sudden affection she had shown
James not moments earlier. "Young Miss is the smartest witch. She goes to Hogwarts soon
with young Master and will make her House so proud, yes she will!" She stomped her little
foot at the end of her decree and vanished with a soft pop, taking Hermione's empty plate
with her.
"I've never seen an elf so.. ." Hermione began, still in shock.
"Overbearing?" Charlus suggested with a hearty chuckle. "She's been like that since
about a week after moving into the manor. So happy to be here that she overdid everything.
I didn't grow up with house-elves myself, so I was used to doing most things on my own
just like you," he revealed. When he smiled at her, Hermione could not help but feel better.
"I learnt quickly not to get in her way. The third time she caught me hanging up my own
robes, she threatened to bite my hand."
Dorea laughed at the memory and regarded Hermione affectionately. "It's true. So
get used to her, love, but try not to let it go to your head." She dipped her head to her son
with a knowing smile.
"I don't know what you're all talking about. Tilly's a genius." James shrugged and
drained his pumpkin juice.
"I'll keep an eye on him at Hogwarts," Hermione offered, looking at James with a
smirk. "I'm sure his head will deflate a little without Tilly there to dote on him."
Charlus smiled, leaning in conspiratorially. "You're officially taking on the position
of sister?"
"Courage and Craft," Hermione repeated her new House words, yielding to the
circumstances she had been forced into—or maybe lucked into. "I'm a Potter now.
Something tells me that looking after him will come with my new name."
"You're a good girl, Hermione," Dorea said proudly.