Chapter 9
Harry slumped down onto the seat to catch his breath. He laughed breathlessly as Ron scrambled in after him.
'That is the last time I'm letting you sleep in.'
'Pfff! My mum says that all the time. We've been like this for everything' Ron replied grinning.
Harry grinned back. He was glad Dobby let them pass this time. The elf had shown up same as last time, frantically warning Harry that he shouldn't go to Hogwarts this year. Harry had stopped the panic in its tracks by replying he knew exactly what was going to happen. And he'd already stopped the monster within the chamber. He then proceeded to tell Dobby everything. When Julian came in to check on him the elf very near fainted. Lord Malfoy as it turned out had been as worried over Julian as Professor Snape. He'd gone to Voldemort's old lair to find the boy nowhere in sight. He'd then sent Dobby to search. Dobby had managed to find Julian in Hogwarts. He'd reported back to Lord Malfoy, and then continued to keep an eye on Julian throughout his school life. Dobby hadn't told Lord Malfoy where Julian was staying during the holidays, only that he was safe. When Dobby found out Julian and Harry were related he was ecstatic. He promised his devotion to the great Harry Potter and the kind Julian Heartright. He also promised he would help whenever he was needed. He gave Harry the letters from his friends and said he would report to Draco that he had spoken to Harry but say no more on the matter. Harry asked him about his relationship with the Malfoys.
'Dobby's been with Malfoy family for years. They's always nice to Dobby. Dobby was the young master Draco's playmate. And mistress Malfoy always says Dobby's cooking is good. Master Malfoy has to pretend to hurt Dobby though. And Dobby has to dress like this. If the bad wizards found out Dobby was being treated well they'd suspect master Malfoy. So master has to hit Dobby a few times. He's always says he's sorry and helps Dobby heal afterwards though. When Dobby heard master was being forced to try and hurt Harry Potter, Dobby had to make sure Harry Potter stayed away. If Harry Potter did then master Malfoy wouldn't get in trouble, and Harry Potter would be safe.'
So Harry had been making assumptions. What he'd seen was an act. Now he knew why Lord Malfoy was so angry to have lost the elf's services. He'd lost a valuable family worker, and a friend. And he realized Dobby had only attacked Lord Malfoy to keep them both safe.
After Dobby left Harry went through the letters. There was a new one, recently sent by Ron, asking if he wanted to come to the Burrow, and that if he did they would come pick him up. Julian was all too happy to let him go. Harry wrote back saying he'd love to come.
They celebrated Harry's birthday with another homemade cake. Julian had given him a felt covered book with handwritten stories in it.
'I know it's not much. I can get you something else if you want. I needed something to do to stop me from coming to Hogwarts to make sure you were ok' Julian said.
Harry pulled his dad into a hug.
'It's brilliant. Thank you.'
He flipped through a few of the tales and found a mixture of heart-warming, adventure and funny short stories, complete with stunning art work. He had seen Julian's sketches the first time round and thought they were amazing. He was proud to own something that he knew would be worth a great deal of money in the future. And held a great deal of sentimental value as it stood. Some tales he knew Ron would love. And Hermione would go nuts when he showed it to her. He couldn't wait for all this to be over so he could proudly say that Julian was his dad.
Soon it was time for Harry to leave. He gathered his things and Julian walked him to the garden entrance, where Wisdom and Swift was waiting.
'Have fun. And be safe Harry.'
'I promise. I'll see you in the summer, and I'll write as often as I can. You be safe as well, all of you.'
And with a last round of hugs and nuzzles, Harry apparated. He arrived at the Dursleys right on time. The twins and Ron had, once more, decided to take the flying car without their parents knowing.
Getting the diary had been really easy. Not too long after Lord Malfoy had stowed it away in Ginny's cauldron, Harry had bumped into her as they completed their shopping. Apologizing he picked up her books, then picked up his own from Lockhart, picking up Tom Riddle's diary in the process.
Second year was uneventful. Professor Snape acted the git. Lockhart was an idiot. Gryffindor won the quidditch match. Points were gained, points were lost. They made friends with Luna. And Dumbledore seemed confused. It was a chance for Harry to really be a kid. With the diary safely in the charmed box, he stayed up late on weekends. He ate way too much junk food after meals. He carried on with his friends between classes. He, with his friend's help, added in a story of their own in the book from Julian. He was right, Hermione had fallen over herself wanting to read it. And they all complemented the artwork. He sent plenty of letters to Julian with updates on his classes, adding that he should be an author or an artist as the book was a big hit. He gave and received gifts at Christmas. At the end of the year he even got Lockhart exposed for the fake he was. And he'd received the photo album from Hagrid of Lily and James, which was going pride of place in his bookcase. No basilisk, No overbearing Dobby trying to scare him away. No whomping willow. No puking slugs or broken wands. No giant spiders. No Hagrid going to Azkaban for something he didn't do. On the last day of his second year of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry slung an arm round Ron and another round Hermione, and headed for the train. He made sure this time to visit a shop and get Julian a birthday gift before heading home. Leaving Dumbledore to wonder, why hadn't anything happen?
