April 1999

All was calm. The wind prayed gentleness across the sea reeds and hailed openly the great powder blue sky, which foreshadowed no promise of bad weather.

The plucky inhabitants of Shell Cottage; and a significant number of others were gathered around a small grave on the hill overlooking the sea. On this grave were marked the words

HERE LIES DOBBY

A FREE ELF

These were words that rang out loud and clear over past and future, though ill-regarded at the present time of the grave's occupation. Freedom, the voice of Time had implored them: freedom and mankind's equality within all the worlds, the living and the dead.

Freedom: to some a right, others a privilege. To some people a prize, others a price.

And to Dobby, the price was paid in the stone of the grave.

Harry James Potter stood at the front of the gathering: he looked out over the crowd arranged in rows around the hill and burial mound. He cleared his throat and prepared himself for speech.

"Hello...everyone... we are gathered here today to celebrate the anniversary of the death of a pretty famous house-elf. His name was Dobby; and he was my friend." Harry felt his voice carry across the hills: and, he hoped, echo down the centuries too.

It hadn't been much a funeral: that which took place over a year before. It was heartfelt and the best they could provide at the time, but it had lacked the attention that it deserved.

And here he was now. Telling a large group of people about a creature who had been his helper and friend, of a race many believed inferior.

He looked around. Nearly everyone present was aware of the war which had destroyed lives the previous years. Over half had actively fought Voldemort: one or two were even on his side, but for Harry he was comfortable with their presence: as long as they were aware of the horror of their wartime allies.

The grave was still there of course, almost exactly as it was left. But now a large number of flowers, cards, photographs and messages were left beside, in front and around it.

"R.I.P. Dobby"... "You were a hero! You should be proud"... "We'll always remember you Dobby"..."Sleep well ... "You didn't deserve to die like that Dobby, we'll miss you"... "Missing you always, R.I.P."

The ceremony continued, and every minute Harry felt that he was giving a little bit back, to Dobby and what he died for.

Dobby had died for them, saved the lives of his friends and ensured the fall of Voldemort.

And for that, Harry would be eternally grateful.