A/N: I just realised I've only put this on the first chapter so: I don't own the rights to Harry Potter
Chapter 4 - Dobby Visits Privet Drive
Towards the end of the holidays, before Harry's birthday, but about 2 weeks after Dudley's, so like mid-July, Uncle Vernon had an important business dinner – a very important one. One so important, Harry and Dudley had to buy new suits for it; Aunt Petunia made a special pudding five times in practice of it. Uncle Vernon had gotten his promotion to CEO of Grunnings and this dinner with the Masons was to go to securing an international deal for Grunnings drills. It was a big thing. So they did this all without complaint.
Harry had been thinking over the holidays about the conversation they had in the second week about Ron, Hermione, and Hogwarts. He was more inclined to believe his Aunt and Uncle's view on him not going back due to the distinct lack of letters from them. 'Do they really care that little for me that they wouldn't even mail me? They were the ones saying I was abused, they even said that I could go over to their houses. Apparently not.' Harry thought while he was mopping the floor to help Aunt Petunia, 'They call this abuse? I could stop anytime, and face the wrath of Aunt Petunia, but it's not like I am forced to do this. I'm helping, not "earning my keep". Some people are so stupid.'
"Good job Harry, you haven't left any streaks, it looks good," Aunt Petunia praised, "Dudley and Vernon will be back from picking up the rest of the groceries soon, go clean up and grab a snack, it's three already."
"Ok Aunt 'Tunia. Do you need anymore help after that?" Harry offered.
"No, you and Duddy should get out of the house for a while, maybe you could go to the park."
"We'll find something to do, after they get home."
The rest of the afternoon ran smoothly and everything was in place when the Masons arrived.
"What are you doing Harry?" Dudley asked.
"Pretending I don't exist," Harry joked.
"Did someone say something?" Dudley played along.
"Calm down boys, they are pulling into the drive now, remember what we went through, Dud take their coats, Harry compliments, and smile," Uncle Vernon prompted.
"Harry, where's your tie?" Aunt Petunia suddenly noticed.
"I think it's on my bed, I'll go put it on."
"Quickly," Aunt Petunia hurried.
When Harry got into his room he noticed something not his tie on his bed.
"What are you?" he asked it.
"I is Dobby," it – Dobby – squeaked.
"Um, what are you, and what are you doing in my room?"
"Dobby is a house-elf, and he must tell Harry Potter not to go back to Hoggy-warts, it is a bad place, bad things will happen this year," the strange house-elf tried to warn in a foreboding squeak.
"Look, Dobby, I want to go back, I like learning magic, I have friends there too," Harry tried to explain.
"Friends who don't write to Harry Potter?"
"What do you mean?"
Dobby pulled out a stack of letters, all addressed to Harry.
"Dobby is sorry for stealing Harry Potter's letters but Harry Potter must not go back to Hoggy-warts."
"Look, I've got to go have dinner, I don't want Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon to get mad at me," Harry explained finishing tying his tie and leaving the room.
Dinner went off without a hitch, but then came desert. Aunt Petunia had gone in to get the pudding when a loud crash and her shriek came from the kitchen. The Dursleys – and Harry – ran – walked swiftly – in to see what was the matter.
"Dobby is sorry Harry Potter, it is the only way." And with that he just popped away.
"After the Masons leave we are having a serious discussion, young man," Uncle Vernon warned, leaving the kitchen, making apologies for Petunia.
"She tripped over a chair, ruined the pudding she worked so hard to make, awfully sorry. Would you be alright with some ice-cream?" They were.
After that the night went well, and didn't leave until well after Harry and Dudley were in bed asleep.
What will happen with Uncle Vernon and Dobby? Any ideas? I managed to put in one of the funniest lines in the series, the pretending I don't exist one; I know it doesn't have the same effect and it's not all the same but I got it in. Anyway, that's the chapter, sorry for last time's really long authors note, I had a lot to say. This time it's a maths assignment I'm trying to avoid. Anywho, how'd you like it? Reviewing'd be nice, although I am happy just seeing how many people have read this fic. 'Til next time, Saelu.