dobby the free house elf

Lucius Malfoy regarded Ciaran coldly, as if he wanted to freeze him in place with his icy gaze. The memory of Dumbledore mentioning Ciaran's significant role in the Chamber of Secrets incident filled him with anger and disgust.

"Let's go, Dobby," he said to his house elf.

Lucius strode past Ciaran, with Dobby following, bent over with a humble posture.

"Professor Frémont, good morning," Harry greeted.

As Ciaran observed Dobby and recalled the events from the original timeline, an idea formed in his mind. He promptly retrieved his wand and addressed Harry, "Harry, extend your hand."

"Ah?"

"Hurry, it's up to you to save Dobby." Ciaran waved his wand over Harry's hand and quietly recited a spell, conjuring two items into Harry's palm.

An old diary with a hole in the middle, akin to Riddle's diary, and a pair of foul-smelling socks tucked inside. Harry stared blankly at these items, wondering what Professor Frémont was up to. Was this some sort of new prank?

"House elves are freed when given clothes by their masters. This is an opportunity. Harry, Dobby's fate is in your hands," Ciaran reminded Harry.

Harry looked at the smelly socks, suddenly understanding. He dashed towards the stairwell with a determined nod.

Both the diary and the socks were transfigured by Ciaran, not the actual Riddle's diary. However, Harry was the perfect candidate for this scheme to confront Lucius Malfoy. Being a professor, Lucius would be on guard. Harry, being only twelve, was less suspicious. It was an opportune moment.

"Mr. Malfoy, I have something for you!"

Harry caught up with Lucius Malfoy, thrusting the items into his hands without explanation.

"Your belongings are returned!" Harry said breathlessly, winking at Dobby.

"What is this? Boy, don't think I won't take action against you!"

Lucius held the diary, catching a whiff of a strong stench. He felt nauseated, angrily tossing the diary and socks away.

"Harry Potter, the famous savior, will meet the same fate as your foolish parents one day!" Lucius sneered.

Harry burst into laughter upon hearing this.

Lucius frowned, puzzled by Harry's reaction. Suddenly, an ominous feeling washed over him, and he shouted, "We're running late, let's go, quickly!"

But the house elf didn't budge or respond.

"Dobby, do you want to be punished again?" Lucius snapped.

Still, Dobby remained silent.

"Dobby, you're in for a severe punishment today!" Lucius turned to look and was astonished.

Dobby held up the smelly socks, eyes gleaming with excitement, as if they were a precious treasure.

To a house elf, indeed, they were.

"Socks! Master gave Dobby socks!" Dobby exclaimed in disbelief. "Master gave Dobby socks, Dobby is free!"

Lucius stood there in disbelief, speechless for a while. His face turned red and then blue, expressing his inner turmoil vividly.

He lunged at Harry.

"You've cost me my servant, boy, I'll make you pay!"

Bang!

Lucius Malfoy was sent flying, hitting a wall in the stairwell before slumping to the ground. He took a few deep breaths before standing up, face livid, and drawing his wand.

However, Dobby stood guard over Harry, swiftly knocking Lucius away with a single move.

"Dobby is free and can act against his former master!" Dobby declared, pointing a finger threateningly. "Dobby won't let you harm Harry Potter, never! You can leave now!"

Lucius' expression darkened, anger burning in his eyes, but facing Dobby's unwavering resolve, he knew there was little he could do.

In a real fight, he might not stand a chance against Dobby, especially within Hogwarts.

At that moment, Ciaran approached, standing at the top of the stairs, wand partially visible in a subtle threat. Lucius understood it as such.

With a last angry glare at Harry and Dobby, he wrapped his cloak around him and hurriedly disappeared down the corridor.

"Dobby, you're finally free," Harry said, genuinely happy for him.

"Harry Potter freed Dobby! He's truly the greatest wizard!" Dobby exclaimed, tears of joy filling his eyes. "Dobby has yearned for freedom for so long, and Harry... Potter granted it. Harry Potter is greater than Dobby ever imagined, the greatest wizard of all time!"

"I didn't do much, Dobby. This was also Professor Frémont's idea," Harry blushed, feeling slightly embarrassed in front of Professor Frémont. If it weren't for him, Harry might have let the praise get to his head.

But hearing Dobby praise him in front of Professor Frémont made him feel awkward.

"Thank you, Professor Frémont. You're a great wizard," Dobby expressed his gratitude.

Ciaran, recalling Dobby's plight in the original timeline, smiled and said, "Dobby, you're a free elf now and deserve to be."

"Thank you, sir, thank you so much."

Dobby hugged Harry tightly, a bright smile on his unusual face.

"Farewell, Harry Potter, farewell, Professor Frémont."

With a choked sound, Dobby vanished.

"Professor Frémont, I should go. Goodbye," Harry waved and departed Hogwarts Castle's eighth floor via the stairs.

Ciaran entered Dumbledore's office through the rotating stone guardian.

"Oh, Ciaran, what brings you here?" Dumbledore asked with a smile, setting aside Riddle's diary. "Is everything alright? How's Dobby?" He seemed to have an inkling of the events transpiring outside while staying in his office.