Entrance Hall, Hogwarts - May 14, 1995

  A scream of pure rage cut through the hubbub in the Entrance Hall.

  Lucius Malfoy, Head of House Malfoy, outwitted and goaded to a blinding rage by a child the same age as his son. How infuriating!

  Drawing his wand with a simple flick of his wrist, he turned to confront the boy in his fury. Blind to his surroundings, not even deigning to acknowledge the existence of Senior Aurors, nor the head of the DMLE.

  “You cost me my elf, BRAT!” The man hissed in his fury, “Bomb…”

  With a flick of her wand, Minerva put an end to that with a silent casting of the Tongue locking jinx, Langlock. “That’s quite enough of that Mr. Malfoy.” Minerva’s sharp voice cut through the silence, immediately stunning the ex-student in his tracks.

  “I’m awfully disappointed in one of my ex-Head Boys behaving like this. I’m quite willing to suffer your unrelenting verbal diatribes, as it’s within your nature as a Slytherin to manoeuvre for your benefit. However…” She raises her head while pointing her wand under his chin.

  “Don’t you ever forget that these students will forever be under my protection. I will enforce their safety if I have to, by force if necessary. Do I make myself clear?” Her voice is the only sound to be heard within the cavernous hall.

  “Do not forget that I do not only hold my masteries in Transfiguration, Mr. Malfoy. In fact, I earned my Battle Magics and Dueling Masteries immediately after the war…” She whispered quietly, before raising her voice to such a degree that you could feel the very power of her restrained wrath within. “AND YOU KNOW WHY! I would recognise your pathetic excuse for a wand, or your pitiful excuse for spellwork anywhere, Malfoy. Do not give me reason to end you where you stand.” Her knowing gaze pierced his very soul, his body acting traitor as it started to tremble with fear.

  “I know who was at my house the night I lost my husband.” She stated, stating an unequivocal fact. She shook her head in disgust, never removing her gaze from the cretin before her.

  “The only reason you still draw breath is because Albus in all his wisdom, pushed me into becoming Deputy Headmistress. After the war, I was willing to leave Hogwarts and enforce my will, my brand of justice, upon those who would harm my ex-students; Muggle, Half-blood or Pureblood. They all died the same, under a terrorist regime.” She was quivering with fury, approaching the blond fool as he backed away. Unwittingly exiting Hogwarts.

  “For you to dare slander me, I can handle that. After all, you are a small minded fool.” She said, the crowd now gathering to hear every one of her words. Secret’s were being let slip that ‘polite’ society deigned to forget.

  “For you to slander the boy who slayed a Basilisk with nothing more than Godric Gryffindor's sword…Without a wand no less!” McGonagall paused, taking a breath before unleashing a torrent of fury that no one had seen since the war. “I WILL NOT HAVE IT!”

  It was at this point that Amelia stepped in, making her presence known. “That’s enough Minerva.” She stated, deadpan. A voice accustomed to being acknowledged and obeyed, just like Minerva. The witches exchanged glances, before both turning their eyes upon the man who embodied some of the worst traits of the Slytherin house.

  Lucius seemed to find some courage from somewhere, regardless of all the embarrassment and hinted at accusations coming to light. “Amelia, please protect me, she started assaulting me out of nowhere…”

  “Enough Lucius, that you even dare attempt to lie to me while I witnessed everything, just goes to show how pathetic you are.”

  “How dare you accuse the Head of a Venerable Magic house, you will pay for that! Do not test me woman, I can and will declare blood feud on you both!”

  “Firstly, Lucy dear, you attempted to assault my protectee. One person I just performed the Hunters Rite as his guide. Secondly, you do not have the skill, nor the ability to stop me from eradicating your line. And three, you are really willing to declare blood feud while McGonagall teaches your blithering fool for an heir in her school?” Amelia scoffed.

  “To even attempt to threaten a Ministry Official is grounds for a stay in my cells. Your pureblood heritage or not, I am of an Ancient House. There is no rank disparity you can leverage over me.”

  Gazing down imperiously upon Lucius, the pair of formidable women stared him down and made him cower. “Remember who caught you while you were under Imperius, Lucius you clown. Senior Aurors? Please take his statement of why he is on Hogwarts grounds and investigate to the full extent of the law under what auspices of authority he does so. If you find anything, and I mean, absolutely anything…I am willing to back that complaint to the hilt.”

  “This is not the end of this Amelia, your position is not as firm as you believe…” he threatened.

  “Look around you Lucius, I have close to a hundred witnesses.” She waved behind herself, many students were lined up in front of the doorway to the Entrance hall. Viewing Lucius as nothing more than a silly kind of fool. “And that’s the second time you’ve threatened a Ministry employee.” She sighs dramatically, “It seemed the first warning was not enough. That will be a fine, and after my Senior Auror’s investigation, I believe a great deal more will follow...”

  Previously…

  Unseen by the larger crowd a young man and a house-elf quietly slipped away. Happy to no longer be the centre of attention. That was until his name was mentioned as the saviour of the student who supposedly died.

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  At this point though they were calmly walking towards the Hospital Wing, well, Harry was. Dobby was…excitable.

  “Great Master Harry Potter Sir, Dobby’s be thankin’ you for freeing me. It’s wonderful that I’m free of bad master.” He exclaimed, gesticulating wildly and hopping all around.

  “That’s quite alright Dobby, I acknowledge that you tried to help me during the year, even if I got hurt doing so…” He trailed off, noticing Dobby’s expression turning sad. “Enough about that though, I don’t mind. Your heart was in the right place!” Harry said, forcing a smile.

  Dobby perked up immediately, while Harry just stared on, amazed. ‘It’s going to be quite a problem keeping up with the small elf,’ he thought, bemused.

  “Now, I know that you have always wanted your freedom from the…bad masters.” Harry started, not knowing what he was going to do with the poor elf. It was clear he had lived a hard life, and suffered heavily for it. “Do you have any idea what you would like to do for yourself now Dobby?” He asked tentatively.

  Humming in thought, the little elf looked lost. “Harry Potter Sirs be caring about poor Dobby?” His eyes welled with tears. “The stories are true! Harry Potter be a Great wizard.” He shouted, his exuberance clear. Launching himself at Harry he hugged his leg. Showing his heartfelt sincerity and appreciation.

  Patting his head gently Harry comforted the poor elf, asking quietly “Is there anything else I can do for you friend?”

  Dobby started to ball his eyes out. “Harry Potter sir, be too goods to Dobby…”

  Dropping to his knees, he hugged the miserable looking elf. “Dobby, it’s ok. I just helped someone who helped me. Now think, is there anything I can do for you now that you are free?”

  At all the noise, unbeknownst to the pair, Poppy heard the commotion in the corridor and came to see what was going on. Observing the previous conversation, Poppy decided to step in.

  “Mr. Potter?” she called, grabbing his attention. “The poor elf looks terribly traumatised, why don’t you bring him here and I’ll look him over for you?” She beckoned, showing her gentle caring nature.

  While they walked into the Hospital wing together, she said softly, “I know that you don’t want to ask young Dobby, since you believe Harry should know what you want, right?” She said while casting a bevy of charms to ascertain his health. “Unfortunately for you, Harry doesn’t know much about wizarding customs, or the wizarding world in general. He’s just a wonderful young man. If you wouldn’t mind, can I explain it to him?”

  After patting the bed for Dobby to hop up, Poppy waited for the elf’s confirmation before continuing. “Now, Harry, he is unbelievably thankful for everything you’ve done for him. However he would like to ask you something else, something that it is considered rude for them to ask a wizard they admire greatly.”

  She continued to potter around the hospital wing while having the conversation. Gathering the remedies to heal the poor elf and hopefully reverse some of the scarring. All the while Harry was on edge, a feeling had overtook him. His magic, he supposed, was guiding him to do something. He just needed to figure out what that was.

  Poppy, however continued her explanation while Harry was lost in thought. “So with Dobby’s permission I will explain a little bit about house-elves and what a wondrous role they play in our society.” Pausing for a moment, she started to apply a few creams and salves to Dobby’s injuries. “House-elves are a race that have a wondrous control of magic, however, the price they pay for this magic is their inability to generate magic of their own. Now this sounds like a horrible price to pay, and to some degree, it can be.”

  “They get around this flaw, by binding themselves to other magicals, such as wizards and witches, or even entities like Hogwarts.” Harry nodded in acceptance of her words, Poppy continued her explanation. “They in essence, choose to bind themselves in a Symbiotic relationship with their chosen magical partner.”

  “That’s…troublesome…” Harry said, deep in thought. “Does that not make them slaves?”

  “At first glance, you would assume so, yes?” Poppy raised an eyebrow at his statement. “However they simply can’t live without magic, they are incredibly sensitive to magic, emotion and magical intent. You could even say Mother Magic is so entwined with their being that they need it like all creatures need food to eat or air to breathe!” Finishing her explanation with excitement.

  “Fascinating creatures really, so, Dobby would dearly love to ask you if you would bind yourself and him together. He would be honoured to serve you in any manner you prefer, to assist and make your life easier.” Poppy glared at Harry, “This is an exchange, their loyalty and devotion to you and if you choose, to House Potter. In exchange they get some of your magic. Now, I expect you to take good care of him, you hear me, Potter!?” She questioned harshly.

  “Of course, Poppy. I know what it’s like to help and be seen as unappreciated. I would never treat another magical, or sentient creature for that matter in such a horrific way.” Harry said, affronted.

  “Good, I wouldn’t advocate for Dobby if I wasn’t confident in how you would treat him, Harry.” She spoke gently, trying not to upset him more than she already has. “I just wanted to stand up for Dobby, since as you know, he hasn’t experienced a good life so far. Just like you.”

  This statement really hit home with Harry, since it just highlighted how similar the two of them were. This must be part of the reason that his magic urged him, incessantly so, since he saw Dobby, to help him somehow.

  With a quiet voice he asked Poppy, “My magic is, unsteady… or something. I don’t know how to explain it, but it started ever since I saw Dobby. Do you think it’s asking me to…help him?”

  Turning a bright smile to Harry, Poppy said “I’m sure of it Harry, people forget that Mother Magic is alive. That she guides and shelters us as we need it. Trust your magic, and trust your heart Harry.”

  Walking to Dobby he couldn’t help but smile at how odd the little man looked all wrapped up in bandages in various places. “Dobby,” Harry started gently, “Would you like to bond with me? And be my friend?”

  Heart in their eyes, they both knew this moment would change their life for the better. “...y-y-you mean it Master Harry sir? Y-y-ous wants Dobby?”

  “Of course Dobby, you looked out for me. Tried to help me when your old master put me in danger. The least I could do is be there for you, give you friendship and support you as best I can…” Harry responded gently.

  “Please Master Harry sir, please!” He exclaimed, bouncing on the bed in excitement. Almost wriggling off the side in his glee.

  “Ok, OK!” Harry said laughing. His glee was obvious, “Could you show me how Dobby?”

  At this request Dobby did jump off the bed, pulling his arm to guide him into a more open area. He quickly started speaking, trying to explain. Yet just like it did in the Chamber, his magic guided him gently, insistently making modifications to what Dobby said.

  A short five minutes later, Dobby and Harry were bonded friends. A truly symbiotic relationship, built on trust and appreciation for each other. They were so happy getting to know one another that neither noticed when Poppy slipped away, until she returned carrying a plate of food for each of them. Encouraging them to take a seat and take some food in.

  Reminding Harry gently that he had a guest coming to visit him this evening at 6 o’clock. To rest if he needed to, especially after two tiring magical rituals.

  “Rest, Master Harry. I will wake you when it’s time.” Dobby said, “No need to worry, I will wake you if anything happens.

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