章 34: DOBBY

The Hogwarts express had arrived in london and the students were frantically moving about the train saying their goodbyes to friends and classmates and moving towards the exit to meet their guardians, parents and/or relative that had arrived to take them back home. Harry could not publicly greet Daphne's parents yet, so they hugged and said their goodbyes when the announcement was made. Daphne once again reminded him to take care of himself and write to her everyday.

Harry was supposed to go with Hermione and her parents as he had not taken the effort to inform his relatives of his return, not that they cared. The twins had also come by and said their goodbye's and promised to complete the task he had requested. Harry moved along with Hermione, greeted her parents and then they were off. In the car Hermione's parents asked a few questions and we answered with enthusiasm.

I reached the Dursley's at noon and my aunt was surprised but did not bother much but just treated me as air due to the harsh warning given by professor McGonagall at the start of the term. I settled in the room and day went by with me reading some fun books I had gathered for light reading. My uncle came in the evening and was informed of my arrival by my aunt. When I showed up to get my portion of the dinner he just informed me to stay away from his family and that he was already aware that unlike the witch who had previously visited, Harry himself is not allowed to perform magic outside of school till he comes of age so he did not wish for any funny business during the vacations.

I had a faint guess that Dumble's might do something similar because the professor was sure to complain and he would be afraid that Harry might use this to his advantage and he wanted to be the sole person who young Harry gets assurance by when he faced the cruel world. Harry made a acknowledging nod and went back to his room.

After this day Harry kept to his room during the mornings, visited Hermione in the afternoon and returned back only after the Dursley's had finished their dinner. Harry and Hermione had decided to study Herbology during this break and complete the syllabus of not just next year but of fourth year as well, this was done in addition to continuous studies in Runes and Healing. Hermione was confident that by the end of the vacations they could complete the theory portion of Rune's good enough to get an outstanding in their OWL's and almost finish the theory portion for their Healing OWL's.

It had been half a month and today Harry would once again meet Dobby. Harry had always regretted the death of this fiercely loyal elf and was extremely sad that he couldn't do more, as the previous time he was not a lord nor a heir and could not contract with the poor elf and Dobby had to move around everywhere to survive. When Harry was in the darkest of situations Dobby had raised his magic against his own masters to protect his life and died with a smile.

My uncle had called for me early that morning and warned me to behave as if I did not exist in the house as an important guest was to arrive for dinner and it could be a big order for his business. I assured him, but I knew that it would not end well for either of us with Dobby around.

At around six in the evening I heard my uncle hurrying my aunt and Dudley in getting ready and rehearsing everything for the last time. Just as I heard a car pull over in the driveway I heard my uncle shout once again to remind me to be on best behavior or it will lead to consequences, I pretended not to hear and did not respond. It was an hour later and I was sitting on my bedside with the lights off when there was a sudden snap sound and a rag wearing, clumsy elf came in my sights, Dobby.

I knew that this magic would already be noticed by Dumble's because he had always kept tabs on every little thing on the house and if he had decided not to act then that would mean he had given his approval for the upcoming tragedies. I was not surprised and therefore acted calm. Dobby greeted me with the same enthusiasm like was expected of him and after I asked him to keep his voice down he did.

He demanded that I do not go to Hogwarts this year because terrible things await me and my life was sure to be put in danger. I listened and told him that I cannot miss Hogwarts and every problem can be solved because the school was under the protection of Dumbledore. He insisted that I do not return to such a school where I do not have friends who cared enough to even write him, after getting my questioning look he understood that he had slipped up so he apologetically took out the letters and handed them to me.

I asked him the one question that could possibly change his destiny for ever, would he like to become my personal house elf. Just as I had expected, he started crying loudly and thanking me for considering him worthy enough and what an honor it was, all the while he was sobbing. I asked him to be quite and he suddenly stopped, picked up the lamp in my room and started hitting his head cursing himself. All this noise had attracted my uncle's attention and he came upstairs to warn me and I reassured him that it will not happen again.

Dobby explained that even if he wanted he could not serve young Harry because he first needed to be willingly freed by the current master. I explained him that my Black family magic is showing some connection to him and whichever master he currently serves cannot stop the heir of the most ancient and noble house of black from claiming back a elf that was rightfully his no matter the time period.

Dobby was confused and asked what was the connection between the great Harry potter and the noble Black family, so I explained to him that by succession the last black lord had named me the new heir and I have successfully completed the ceremony to get the heir ring. He was very shocked and delighted and crying all at the same time. I asked him to keep quiet and make his decision. He stood up straight and declared while crying that he would be honored to serve the great harry potter.

I manifested the heir ring on my finger, concentrated on the Black family magic coming from the ring and placed my hand on the head of the elf and severed his current contract with the malfoys and made a new contract binding him not to me but to the Black family line once again. After the procedure was done he was naturally very happy and as he was bound by rules and could not disclose the matters of his previous masters he still advised me against going to Hogwarts as great danger awaits me and everyone.

This time I did not let him complete his rambling and ordered him to complete tasks for me and to no more interfere in this matter. This was different from before, as now it was an order from his family's young master and he could not ignore. I asked him to go visit the black family bank manager at Gringotts, get some money for his daily use and take care of his health. After he was done he should go to all the properties owned by the Black family, such as houses and manors and get them clean and ready for accomodation by the next year. He is to reach out to kreacher and with a stamped letter from me get him to give away the locket with the promise of its destruction by the new lord Black.

Dobby was also instructed to not heed any calls from the remaining people of the Black family and only answer him. This was necessary because even if his connection to the malfoy's was over Narcissa was a black by blood and acknowledged by the family. Dobby listened to every order in detail and promised to complete everything by perfection. Dobby asked his permission to leave so that he could start carrying out the orders but I instructed him to mess up my uncle's dinner party before leaving, he happily obliged.

After the disaster my uncle was angry beyond reason and I had received a warning letter from the ministry. My uncle locked me inside the room and placed iron grills on my window the very next day, but I was not concerned because I knew today was the day the twins would come to my rescue.