Chapter 83: Dobby!

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"Oh, this is one of my lighter punishments...you should see my shoulder," I say in a chipper voice just to tease Hermione. "I think there's a permanent bruise there."

"I said I was sorry!" she whines.

"I wouldn't have pegged you for someone who was into that, William." Luna says, head tilted slightly to one side. 

I've learned that the tilt of her head is a more accurate indicator of her tone than her actual voice. 

So far this particular angle has consistently corresponded to mild curiosity and surprise. Well, either that or wanton lust, but I may have misunderstood that particular comment.

"Oh yes, she has known about it for some time now," I say, maintaining the tone. "That is undoubtedly the reason she graciously awarded me with such a visible mark of my devotion."

Hermione glares at me for not accepting her apology. "Shall we see if you still crumple in such a way that you break your nose when you get hit with a Stunner?"

"Wow, she's violent," Ron whispers.

"Oh yes, she is a great and kind mistress," I say, nodding sagely.

"Remind me to introduce you to a House Elf I know," Harry says.

I chuckle along with him, but it trails off after a moment. "Huh, I guess I do sound a bit like Dobby."

"You know about—?" Harry starts, then smacks his forehead. "Oh, of course you do."

"Of course," I say with a smile. "He's here at the castle working for Dumbledore, isn't he?"

"What?" Harry and Hermione say in unison.

Oops. "Uh...yeah...at least I'm pretty sure he is. Why don't you call his name, Harry? He'd probably come to you."

"Dobby?"

A small pop in front of Harry signals the House Elf's arrival. 

"Master Harry Potter, sir! Dobby is so happy Harry Potter called, sir! The headmaster told Dobby that Hogwarts Elves must stay away from students unless they are called, even though Dobby so wanted to help Harry Potter." Finally the wide-eyed Dobby notices the rest of the students and begins to look afraid.

"It's okay, Dobby, we're all Harry's friends," Hermione says with a reassuring smile. "I'm Hermione Granger."

Dobby is overwhelmed with emotion as the rest of us introduce ourselves and shake his hand. For some reason I'm feeling nervous, but I introduce myself as well. His hand is cold, clammy, and seems fragile because it's so small. Suddenly he jerks his hand away.

"William is Harry Potter's friend, sir? But William is not a wizard. What is William doing at Hogwarts, sir?"

My face burns.

"Of course he's a wizard, Dobby!" Harry says indignantly. The House Elf flinches and cowers as if waiting to be punished, so Harry huffs and softens his voice. "I'm not going to hurt you, Dobby, you don't have to do that."

I kneel down in front of the poor creature and speak quietly enough so that only Dobby can hear. "Do you...do you know what I am, Dobby?"

Dobby looks frightened, glancing at Harry surreptitiously. He shakes his head vigorously. "Dobby feels the magic in Harry Potter's Lerny, sir, but it is not wizard's magic. Dobby does not know what it is, sir."

I let out a breath. "Me neither. Could it be House Elf magic?"

Dobby's eyes bulge even larger. "You don't know either? It smells like both House Elf magic and wizard magic, but it is neither, sir."

I consider asking if Dobby can try to teach me, but I decide to save that question for later. It would be awesome fun if I could Apparate around Hogwarts. "Can you keep this a secret, Dobby? I'm here to help Harry, and I don't want anybody to find out and make me go away. Please?"

"Of course, Harry Potter's Lerny, sir! Anything to help the Great Harry Potter!" Dobby squeaks that out loud enough that everyone can hear.

I almost frown when it occurs to me that just about anybody could say that and Dobby would help them, unless he can somehow sense my truthfulness. "I may take you up on that offer to do anything to help him, Dobby. It was a pleasure meeting you."

Dobby is nearly in tears by the time we all say our goodbyes and he gives Harry a promise to help if he calls the House Elf's name. With a snap of his fingers, Dobby pops away.

Our trip to the Gryffindor common room resumes in uncomfortable silence. I feel like I'm sweating as much as I do during our morning runs. 

A part of me hopes nobody brings this up again, but I know that's unlikely. Another part of me is fully expecting to be pushed away again. 

I suppose I can still execute my plans with only Daphne, and I believe Sirius and Remus will continue to help unless Harry tells them to stop. 

Will Harry still believe me about all the things I've told him? Maybe Luna will still help since she wasn't here.

Ron, however, is not one to abide silence. "Bit nutters, isn't he?"

Harry and Hermione share a look, then both turn to look at me. I look away.

"It's Dobby," Harry says noncommittally.

I don't look at anybody else's reaction to that. We reach the common room a short time later, and Hermione quietly gives the password. Our usual spot is open, but I hesitate. 

"Uh, I'm going to go check on something..." Incredibly lame, but I'm not feeling too clever at the moment. Then I realize I'm still holding my box of clothing. 

"Uh, and I have to take this up." Without waiting for a reply, I walk briskly to the stairs to the boys dormitories. I'm almost there when a completely unexpected stinging sensation makes me yelp and clap a hand to my backside.

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