When Harry came back through the Floo a bit to five, he was surprised to find the old house elf standing no more than a few feet in front of him; Harry all but stumbled into him upon arrival.<br/>“Kreacher -” Harry complained, not as much startled as he was disturbed. He took an awkward step to the side to avoid the elf, but didn’t get to further voice his complaints before Kreacher had cut him off.<br/>“Wait for Master,” the elf ordered with croaked defiance, catching Harry enough by surprise that he didn’t question it. “Kreacher will tell him.”<br/>The elf disappeared with a crack, making Harry stall as though the order had any sense behind it. Taking a few steps into the room, Harry turned as though to glance up through the floor.<br/>Then, Harry all but laughed, taken aback not with worry of intruders but with a dizzy realization of unexpected company.<br/>Not one to wait for Kreacher’s permission, Harry ventured the two floors upstairs to the library.