The Adventures Of Harry And Dobby Chapter Nine
The affect that Harry had on the spirit of Tom gave him a feeling of superiority over the self proclaimed Dark Lord. Something that could either hurt him if he was wrong, or be the difference in the fight between the two. The thing was though, it felt right to Harry. It felt like it was the deciding factor. He didn't tell this to anyone, just yet, but he knew he would eventually.
He felt his mothers idea of it being love as what did it, sounded silly to Harry. Love is a feeling, not a source for magic. She wanted Harry to fill his heart with the love of all his friends and family and to carry it with him all the time, in case he needed it. Then he thought on what Dobby has done for his family, out of love for them all and he started to reconsider this thought. He thought of Dobby more as a brother then anything else.
His thinking went to remembering the things that happened and the adventures they shared at school and before it started. He saw Dobby fall for Hermione, even though he felt it could never happen. To Harry, Dobby was becoming more human than Tom was from the start. Dobby saw love everywhere around him and Tom didn't know what love was. So, maybe love wasn't a source of magic, but it could be force behind magic. Pushing it's user to a greater level because of the love he or she were feeling.
Harry thought further on the spirit he knew to be Tom's and the evil it gave off to the person in touch with it. It was evil, but it could be controlled if you had a strong enough mind block. Harry also wanted to use the Spirit in the following year to flush Tom out into the open and maybe even control him through the spirit like it was being controlled. This was more of a thought then it was a plan, as Tom had to be stronger than the piece of his soul was. Harry wanted more than anything to end the threat of Tom in the upcoming year as everything he saw pointed to a showdown between himself and the Dark Lord because of the Prophecy his mother told him about. He didn't want Neville to have anything to do with it because he may be hurt. He didn't want Dobby to have anything to do with it, because of Hermione.
He knew of the Horcruxes and what they were and who had possession of them, but not where they were kept. He also felt, rather than knew, it took something very strong to destroy one of them. He had to find out what it was that could do this. He figured his best source would be Remus or his mother, but to ask her would be opening a world of trouble for him, as she would want to know why he even asked something like that. So, Remus would be his source of information. He knew he would question him as well, but, his mother would most likely start having thoughts on why he needed to know and then lock him up for the rest of the summer, and then ask Minerva to give him detention for the following school year.
He was sitting there thinking on this when the floo flared and Sirius came walking through. He saw Harry deep in thought and asked, "I smell something burning Harry, what are you thinking about?"
Still in thought, Harry said, "Horcruxes and how to destroy one."
"OH, that's easy, Basilisk venom and Fyend fire, but why do you want to know that?" Sirius had a feeling he said too much.
Harry realized what he said and had to think fast, "It's a question asked the class in DADA this past year. We are to write a two page answer on it and give a sound reason for finding only someone with the proper knowledge to use it properly."
Sirius thought it a good reason for the answer and sound advice to follow. "Well, good luck with your homework. Couldn't stand it in school. It took away from our fun time. Good to see you're staying on top of it. Your mum is rubbing off on you, and that's a good thing."
Sirius walked off and then he thought, 'I don't remember being taught Horcruxes at all in school? When they did they start to teach how to destroy one? I better ask Lils about this.' and he changed course for the kitchen. When he got there, Lily was baking biscuits and they were chocolate chip, his and Moony's favorites. He got caught stealing a couple off the plate and Lily's scolding had him forget all about Harry.
It was another week when Harry asked his dad about another session with the jar. While he was in the room, Harry used one of the Marauders own creations to get what he wanted. It was memory box that had a limit of 10 minutes, once it was set. He hid it under the desk so it couldn't be seen. He would retrieve it after he messed with Tom again.
James did the same thing as he did the first time, and had Lily, Sirius, Dobby and Remus there for protection against the spirit, should it get loose. He had them all leave so he could get to his secret place and pull the jar out. He called them all back in and Harry approached the jar like he did the first time, but stopped short and let his father place the shield around him and the jar.
Harry put his hands on the jar and this time he felt Tom in his mind right away, "Potter, what are you doing now? How are you doing this to me? If I ever find out how, you will wish you never found out about what you are doing. Now leave me." but Harry didn't go. Instead, he created the burning sensation on the spirit and Tom as well, and he could feel what it was doing to Tom again. He felt it as Tom screamed in his mind about the hurt that Harry was causing. Harry wished he could keep it up longer, but it took too much out of him. He dropped it after he felt Tom collapse, where ever he was. He didn't think that Tom was a whole person when he did it, so what ever he was, was just a portion of himself.
Harry also wondered why it took so much out of him to do what he did. All he did was cause his hands to heat up enough to send the sensation to the spirit. It never burned Harry, but it did something to the spirit and thus it did it to Tom as well. He didn't realize that it wasn't heat he was sending to Tom, but the love his mother told him about, that was why it felt warm to him, but terrible pain to the evil spirits.
It was later that night that Harry retrieved the box and checked to see if it worked. He could not believe his father didn't use a spell to get to the jar. There were no words to hear, and no vision to see, as James stood right in front of the visual device. It did tell harry that where ever it was hidden, it was not in the walls, so it must be a part of the furniture.
The next morning, all his friends were there with him again to do some more training. They ran for two miles, and then did their exercises. Two hours of it, then they took turns in the shower. Then Hermione led them to the library and their school work. She had them work on fifth year Transfiguration. After that, they were back in the library and two hours of DADA.
Dobby was right next to Hermione at every session, and he was loving every minute of it. He didn't know he was being watched by everyone. The twins, Ginny and Luna were trying to cover their laughter, while Harry was happy for him and hoped it worked out for them both, as he knew it would be very hard for them if they did get together.
Harry saw them all gain in strength and in stamina. He thought Hermione would give up after two or three sessions, but she stayed with the group and he saw her glow with this accomplishment. The others also glowed with pride at what they could now do. Neville was becoming a leader of the group as he must be doing more after the group broke up for the evening. He equaled Harry for stamina and was just below him in strength. Fred and George kept the group loose with their joking around. Ginny and Luna joined the twins with the joking during the run and exercises, but were more serious with the school work and study. All in all, Harry couldn't be more proud of his group of friends.
For the rest of the summer the workouts continued and the school work got harder, but still they stayed together and accomplished everything Hermione and Harry gave them. Finally, for the last week, Harry decided to call off everything so they could make the trip to Diagon Alley and have a little fun before going back to school. The rest served them well, as they were all ready to return to school and take up where they left off.
Harry never did find out where his dad hid the jar, and it was the only frustrating thing of the summer for him. He tried to be sneaky and worm the answer from his dad, but James was more in control of his privacy then Harry wished. Dobby wouldn't help him with it either, but his reason for it was a sound one that Harry couldn't deny. It was a dangerous thing to handle it outside the protections his dad had in place for the spirit.
Ginny and Luna had all kinds of questions during the train trip north and everyone there tried helping them by answering the questions they could. Hermione was the best source for the answers, with Fred and George being the next best source.
Dobby bought treats from the trolley for the group and the questions continued to be asked and answered from everyone. The girls knew enough to get them by for the first two or three weeks and wouldn't get lost like Ron did to start the year. Fred and George used their map to show them the shortest routes and even some shortcuts Harry and Dobby didn't know. The girls were better prepared then Harry was for the start of the year.
When the train ride ended and they left the train, Luna and Ginny were led to the boats and the rest for the carriages. Once seated, Harry and the others waited for the first years to be brought in and gathered for the sorting.
Colin Creevy was the first one sorted to Gryffindor and he took a seat next to Ron and Seamus. The twins tried to get him to move, because they didn't want him scared off by Ron when he ate. Colin looked at them like they were bullies or something like that, but he also didn't want to get in trouble first thing, so he moved down and sat next to Hermione. She leaned over to him and said, "The twins are looking after your best interests. Watch Ron, the lone red head, while he eats." she then turned back to Dobby and Harry. The group of first years was much smaller than Harry's group and the Gryffindor house only got three new students, with Luna and Ginny also joining them. The majority of students went to Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Luna was supposed to go there in Ravenclaw, but she asked to be placed in Gryffindor because of the lack of new students there. The hat was only too happy to oblige.
They joined Colin at the table and he was now happy he listened to the twins as the girls were much better people to be sitting with, especially when he watched as the food appeared and Ron showed him why it was safer for him to move, as food was flying everywhere. He was even laughing at how the twins protected themselves from it by using a shield charm and the food seemed to floating in air as it hit the shield.
Hermione thought about the number of new students and asked, "Why do you think there were so few students to enter this year, Harry?"
Harry didn't hesitate when he answered, "That's because we lost so many men in the first war, plus we lost quite a few women and children, Hermione. That's why we need to end this soon. It will take a while to recover from what's happened and that's if we don't have any more attacks on our people. Listen, we all need to talk later and it isn't going to be a good one. I think I may need something this year and we have been told that it is too dangerous to remove it."
"Are you talking about that spirit Dobby caught? Because if you are, then I totally agree that it's much too dangerous to expose anyone to it. It could try to control someone."
"That is what I am counting on Hermione. I want it to control someone, namely me. That is the only way we can get Tom to show himself, and he has to do this if we are to beat him. We need to find these Horcruxes and destroy them before we can do anything."
"How the heck can we do that while we are here in school?" Hermione couldn't believe what Harry was saying.
"I'm sure one of us has a way, don't we Dobby?"
"CRAP! I knew I was going to be involved. This better be a good plan there Harry."
"You'll find out later this evening and I doubt you'll like it, but it is all I have."
Dobby turned back to Hermione, "Remind me again why I stay with him?"
It only took two words for Hermione to show him the truth, "Missy Lily."
"I didn't think two words could hurt so bad and be so truthful. You're brilliant to the point of pain, Hermione. But I still like you." He couldn't say the word he really wanted to say. He felt it was forbidden, yet it was truly how he felt. He loved Hermione.
That evening, Harry got his group together and explained what his plan was, "OK, Hermione already voiced her opinion on my idea, now I want to hear from the rest of you. Mind you that even if you all pass on it, I still feel I have to find a way to do it. So, here it is. The spirit that Dobby caught is the key to everything, I think. It is my link to Tom that has to be exploited. I have to get it, so it can try to gain control of my mind. I think I can block it's attempt and trap it in my mind, to control it and force Tom to face me."
"OK, um, why would you want to do that? You're all of twelve years old, with one year of schooling behind you. Tom has you beat all over the place. He had like a gazillion guys following him. He uses magic that is darker than a moonless night. He doesn't care who he kills because he enjoys it too much to care. So, what could you have over him my young friend?" Fred was on a roll.
"The Prophecy. It was why he attacked us in the first place. I have his spirit in a bottle and he doesn't know it. I have already controlled him once and can do it again. I know his weakness, but we have to find them. We are more powerful than he thinks, but I don't want to use you in the final fight. I need you to be ready, in case I fail. I don't intend to let him use his followers in a fight. Does that answer some of your questions, Fred?"
"Nope, just left another hundred or so, and that's just me. It looks like Hermione has many more, so get ready. Her's will be a lot more though than mine. I don't know how she does it."
Harry turned to Hermione who smiled and said, "Just one for now, Harry. How the hell do you expect us to sit back and let you face Tom all by your lonesome? I know you don't think us cowards, and I also know you don't think us weak. So, what do you think of us, then?"
"I can tell you that you all are not weak or cowards. However, I have to tell you that I have to face Tom alone. Yes Dobby, you aren't joining me either. However, I will need your help with something. Hermione, we have known from the beginning of my connection with Tom and that is why I have to face him alone. If anyone else is with me, he or she will be dead as soon as they are seen. I can't let that happen to any of you. Because I will be alone, I don't expect to live. Now wait and hear me out before you go complaining. What is one life when it means saving thousands more. How do you feel about that Hermione?"
"Why does it have to be you?"
"It wasn't my choice, it was Tom's. He did it when he tried to take over my mind last year. Giving me those false visions of you getting hurt. I saw it again when I took hold of the spirit and did take control of Tom, if only for a minute. We see in each other, our biggest opponent. Our biggest challenge. I have the upper hand because of the spirit in a bottle. That is why I need you help Dobby. I need you to find the bottle and bring it to me so that I can use it against Tom in our showdown. It will ensure he will be alone for the fight. What do you think?"
"Do you think of me as being stupid, Harry? You want me to bring you something that will ensure your death? You want me to give up the only family I have ever known? You want me to assist in your death by supplying you with the weapon? You don't ask for much, do you Harry?"
"Nope, so what do you say?"
"There is absolutely no way I will do this for you. You're more than brother to me and I will not aid in you death, no matter what."
"OK Dobby, but I'm going to die anyway, as I will still be facing Tom alone. It will just be me against his whole army of followers. There is still no way I will involve any of you."
No one had ever heard Luna talk the way she talked to Harry for the next minute, "You actually think we will let you, fucking, face Tom by yourself. You stupid bastard, you're insane if you think we will let you do this alone. I don't know about the rest, but I will be with you where ever you go to fight. I love you too much to let you face this alone."
"Now you listen to me, Luna. I will face him alone because no one will know when I decide to face him. Since Dobby won't help me, then I could leave now and no one could stop me, not even Dobby. Of course you know I won't be leaving tonight, or any time too soon, as there is more that needs to be done before I can face him. I would rather it just be him I have to face though. I know it doesn't sound any easier, but, I don't have to watch my back if it's just Tom."
"You wouldn't need to watch your back if you had someone with you. Harry, why are you saying all this, if you intend to do it alone? It sounds like to me, you really want our help but are afraid to admit it. Luna is right, there is no way we will let you do this alone. We have all been friends for seven years now and you can't let that pass. What about your parents, don't you think they have some say in all this?" Hermione was trying to play on his emotions.
"Why is everyone failing to see my point. One death versus 1000 or more sounds like a good exchange. I am not looking forward to this, but I certainly see the benefits to it. And the thing is, I still may come out of it alive. I mean my chances are not so great, but any chance is better than no chance. If you all join me, and say or Luna dies, or Ginny, Dobby or the twins die, how will you all feel then? No, I won't let you throw your lives away. No one else has to die, except for me. Like I said, I could make it out alive, but not if I had someone with me, because I would be looking out for whoever it is, which cuts down my own chances."
The argument went back and forth, with no one taking a decided edge. However, Dobby knew that Harry meant every word he said and he would face Tom alone to make sure no one else is hurt. Now Dobby had to make sure that Harry had every advantage he asked for. He knew how to get the bottle Harry needed and that night he made a quick visit home and entered the room that stored the spirit. He stood in the middle of the room and thought to himself, 'I solemnly swear to protect my family and friends.' and the bottle appeared before him floating in the air. He took it and then thought, "Mission Managed.' and left the home for Hogwarts. Since the safe was invisible, the spell to expose it had to be silent, to keep it hidden. Dobby learned this in his second year with the Potters, while cleaning. He heard James open it to study the spirit.
Once back at school, he hid it the same way James did, by creating a safe spot over his bed. He would wait for a time before he gave it to Harry. He had to be sure Harry was alright mentally before he handled the spirit.
The next morning, every one was at their house tables eating breakfast when Harry saw Hedwig making her way to the table. He fixed her a plate and a drink and waited until she settled before giving it to her and taking the letter.
Harry opened the letter and found a blank parchment. He knew what that meant, so he stuffed it in his robes pocket to read it later.
Dobby saw this and silently thanked him for waiting to read it. It was the best way for him to give Harry the knowledge of the bottle being here for him, without anyone else finding out. He knew Harry would be discrete.
During the classes Harry and Hermione talked briefly about his wanting to face Tom alone. She dreaded the thought of Harry dying somewhere all alone with no way for anyone to find him. How no one would know for sure if he was alive or dead. Hermione wanted to be the person to accompany Harry for this final battle, if only to report back to everyone how he faired, or even help him if she was needed. Of course she knew there was no way she would stand by and watch Harry face Tom by him self, and she knew Harry felt the same way, which was why he refused her request. He would find some way to get the message back to school, without getting someone else killed or even threatened.
Harry found a way to read the letter, by using the Loo before his lunch. He used the Marauders spell to show him the note:
Harry:
I have the bottle for you and will give it to you when you have shown me you can handle it safely.
Your Bro
Harry wanted to thank Dobby for this, but knew it would bring questions as to what he was doing. He would find some way to thank him though. He burned the letter before leaving the Loo. He then flushed the cinders down the toilet to get rid of any residue.
Lunch had been a quiet one for Harry as he didn't start any conversations nor did he join in on any. He did look to Dobby a few times and each time Dobby looked back but said nothing. Dobby was trying to read Harry's thoughts. He wanted to know what Harry had planned and who was going to help him with it. None of his friends were a part of it and he knew James and Missy Lily weren't either. Maybe a Professor or even the Head Master are going to help, but why, and when would it take place.
Dobby couldn't stand it any longer and he got up and grabbed Harry by the arm and pulled him from the Great Hall, so they could talk. He locked them in the empty classroom and set the spells to ensure privacy, "OK, Harry, tell me now who is going to help you and when you are planning on doing it? Don't lie to me Harry."
"I haven't lied to you yet, Dobby. I have been completely honest with you from the start. I told you I would be alone and that is how it is going to happen. I told you I also in tended to get Tom here alone, and that is true. I said I had a plan for the bottle and that is true, but I will not tell you how I will use it, or when I will use it. I won't be stopped in this, Dobby. It is the best chance we have of defeating Tom, once and for all. I also told you I don't expect to live because of it, but what is one life compared to thousands who would normally die. Isn't that the most logical solution for our problem."
"But why are you deciding who it should be? Why not me? I'm stronger than you, both in magic and in our minds. I have held the spirit and know I can control it. I know Tom is weak right now and you have said he would be alone. I have faced him once, when he was at full strength, and defeated him. Now tell me why it should be you to face him and not me?
"OK, Dobby, I'll tell you. First, I have been in Tom's mind and it is because of that we know about the Horcruxes, his real name, and his other weaknesses. I am one of those weaknesses. You have handled the spirit, but you never controlled it and you have to be able to control it to defeat Tom. In order to control it, you have to let it into your mind. I have done both and that is why Tom fears me. One last thing, you love Hermione, don't you Dobby? I believe she loves you as well. There is no way I will let you destroy that by letting you face Tom. I have no connection with anyone other than Luna and my family, which is also your family. Luna is not in love with me and I am not in love with anyone."
"Don't kid me Harry, I know you have feelings about Ginny. Maybe you haven't expressed these to anyone, but they are there."
"Even if you're right, and I am not saying whether I am or not, she doesn't know. I kept it that way because I knew what I had to do to end this, when I controlled the spirit. If you feel I am being stupid about this, Then tell me how?"
Dobby didn't say anything for a few minutes, then said, "I can't, because you are right. One to save thousands makes too much sense to pass on, but what happens if you fail and we lose the spirit?"
"That won't happen, because the spirit will die with me, and if all goes right, Tom will as well. I might as well tell you my plan, so that you can see what I mean." and Harry told Dobby his idea for the use of the spirit, Tom and what he learned while in control of Tom's body. It was the first time Dobby heard about this and for the first time he saw the complete logic to Harry's plan. He agreed with it, but only if Harry told him when it was going to happen. He didn't count on Harry's lying to spare Dobby from trying to follow.
After school that day, Dobby and Harry went to the dorm and Dobby brought the Bottle to him and gave it to Harry. Dobby thought Harry would wait until he got to the chamber before taking control of it, but he was wrong as he did it as soon as the bottle was in his possession, to prevent Dobby from trying to change his mind. It also gave him the chance to go whenever he wanted to. There was a drawback though, as the spirit fought him to try and gain control. Harry fought back and finally took complete control, leaving the spirit docile in his mind, trapped by Harry's blocks.
Harry waited until everyone was asleep to begin his plan. He didn't think Dobby would expect it to be this soon. He was right as Dobby never knew Harry left for the Chamber. It also gave Harry the chance to see if he was correct about being able to open the entry to the Chamber. He figured the spirit would give him the ability needed to get this done.
When he got to the Lav on the bottom floor, he entered to see if Myrtle was there, but he was lucky as she was not. He went to the sink to see if it was the hidden entry and found the symbol of the snake on a faucet. He spoke to it and as he hoped, it opened to give him entry. He had to slide down to reach the bottom. Once he was down, the entry closed behind him, to keep it a secret to others.
He looked both ways to see if there was a clue as to which way to go, and found it on the ground with the remains of small animals littered all over the path. He walked past a huge snakeskin on the path and saw it to be fifty feet or better. He then came to a vault like door that opened like the entry to the tunnel. It opened slowly, but as much as it weighed, it was no wonder.
Harry saw where the entire chamber was a vast waste area for the school's lav and loos. He was lucky that Salazar protected the area from the smell the waste could generate. Harry walked up to the large bust of Slytherin and knew he had to use Parsle Speak again to get the Basilisk out and have a talk with him.
"Familiar of Salazar Slytherin please answer my call."
There was nothing for a minute or two, then the jaw of the bust began to lower. Once again it was slow due to it's weight. It took several minutes but, once it was down, a new sound was heard. A scraping was coming from the ramp hidden by the closed jaw. Harry knew he was about to face the Basilisk, but he had to stop it before he left the ramp. "Please stop before you exit. Is there a way for you to keep me from dying with your vision?"
"Whoever you are, know that I am keeping my eyes shielded so you will safe from my eyes. Now, before I enter the chamber, could you tell me who you are? I feel something familiar about you that I do not like."
"That would be the spirit of the man who tried to use you fifty years past. I now have control of it and it will not try to control you again."
"Are you sure? If you try to trick me, you will die. I will not harm any more students of the school."
"If I do, then I deserve to die."
"OH, you will, that I promise."
