Dobby's Warning

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During the Christmas holiday, aside from returning to the dormitory to sleep and enduring Snape's confinement, Harry and Ron spent most of their time in the infirmary with Hermione.

Feeling even more embarrassed about the point loss, Hermione elicited envy from Harry and Ron. Compared to Snape's confinement, they believed Professor Ethan's punishment was likely more comfortable.

Severus Snape harbored bitterness for failing to expel Harry and Ron from Hogwarts. Consequently, he intensified his persecution by assigning them the most repulsive tasks, such as preparing foul concoctions, skinning frogs, squeezing toad pustules, and dissecting slugs. Snape scrutinized their every move closely, and any minor mistake resulted in sarcastic remarks and repeated tasks. This dreary routine persisted daily, making each second feel like an eternity for Harry and Ron during the semester-long confinement.

Madam Pomfrey's medical expertise proved reliable, and by the end of the Christmas holiday, Hermione's recovery surpassed half her face. The cat's hair and features had noticeably diminished, leaving only the cat's beard, feline eyes, and ears atop her head. With a significant improvement in her condition, Hermione ceased tightly pulling the curtains and finally allowed Harry and Ron to see her.

In a bid to lift spirits, Harry and Ron made numerous optimistic comments about Hermione's progress, such as "It's improving," "I can barely see it," and "You'll be better soon."

While Ron complimented, he felt a peculiar sensation. Hermione, in her current state, seemed to possess a unique charm, though he kept such thoughts to himself.

Ethan frequently visited Hermione during this period. Given her free schedule, Ethan proposed using this time to attend to her duties as a signs assistant. Hermione, unsure where to assist, requested a small low table for her bed, allowing her to work and study diligently during her free time.

At night, Harry laboriously transported a large bucket of toads from the storage room to the Potions Office. Despite the exhaustion, Harry appreciated this task as it provided a temporary escape from Snape's control. Suddenly, a small figure startled him, and upon closer inspection in the dim hallway light, Harry recognized Dobby, the house-elf. Short, with bat ears, a slender nose, and large green eyes, Dobby wore a dirty pillowcase, appearing nervous. After ensuring no one was around, he turned his attention back to Harry.

Flapping his big ears nervously and clutching his clothes tightly, Dobby urgently implored, "Harry Potter must leave school"

"You want to help me, then tell me the truth." Feeling helpless, Harry said to the neurotic house elf.

Dobby insisted, "Harry Potter should stay away from that cat-eyed professor. Don't approach him."

Intrigued, Harry approached Dobby and inquired, "Do you mean Professor Ethan?"

Nodding nervously, Dobby warned, "Professor Cat Eye has an evil presence around him. Very, very evil. Harry Potter must stay away for safety, and you must leave the school" Dobby earnestly pleaded for Ethan's departure.

Harry, gripping Dobby's skinny shoulders, asked eagerly, "Is there a connection between Slytherin's heir and Professor Ethan? Are the monsters in the secret room related to him? Is Professor Ethan a bad guy?"

Dobby emitted a loud, painful whimper, prompting Harry to release his grip. "Dobby can't reveal the master's secret. Dobby can't say it. Dobby is a bad house elf, Dobby must punish himself" Dobby repeatedly slammed his head against the hard stone walls, leaving Harry bewildered and attempting to intervene.

Suddenly, Dobby froze, his bat-shaped ears shaking. Harry heard footsteps in the distance. "Dobby has to go" gasped the elf, terrified. With a loud pop, Dobby disappeared into thin air.

A senior Ravenclaw student passed by, casting a strange glance at Harry, who squatted on the ground with a bucket of toads beside him, and left without uttering a word.

Swiftly picking up the toad bucket, Harry hastened to the Potions office, eager to share the recent revelations with Ron and Hermione.

Snape eyed him oddly, momentarily more animated. Harry, quick on his feet, couldn't fathom what had stirred Snape. The professor deliberately selected thorny tasks for Harry and Ron, subjecting the young wizards to considerable suffering. Harry and Ron, relieved that today's confinement had concluded, were eager to leave, but Snape seemed unwilling to release them.

Ron, thoroughly exhausted after the confinement, simply wanted to return to the dormitory for a good night's sleep. However, Harry had different plans. He hastily dragged Ron toward the medical wing.

Confused, Ron attempted to break free, saying wearily, "Forgive me, Harry. We can see Hermione tomorrow; one night won't make a difference."

"Listen, Ron, Dobby told me something urgent. We must hurry and inform Hermione!" Harry insisted, still trying to pull Ron toward the medical wing.

"Harry" Ron had to raise his voice to stop him. "Curfew is approaching. If we go to the medical wing now, we'll surely violate it. If are caught, Gryffindor will lose points, and Percy will be furious!"

Upon hearing Ron's words, Harry finally relented. Picturing Percy's anger in the common room, he shivered but persisted, "This news is crucial. Let's return to the dormitory, get the invisibility cloak, and then go to the medical wing. I'm sure no one will find out."

Ron sighed helplessly. Seeing Harry's determination, Ron had little room for argument. They both sneaked back to the Gryffindor common room, saw Neville, Seamus, and Dean sleeping, took the invisibility cloak, and stealthily left the room.