AN:
It's not so much the content itself that's taking so long, I know where the story is going, and I have a ton of things planned for this particular book simply because, Sirius, ya know? But getting these chapters started is a major bleeping pain in my backside. And because I couldn't think of how to begin the Boggart chapter, I through this in between so that it sort of fills the gap between chapters and I can go straight to the DADA class and Remus in the next one.
Sidenote: Review responses are at the bottom
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"Miss Lillian!" A soft pop announced the presence of Dobby in the barren common room.
"Dobby," Lillian greeted warmly, lifting her gaze from her book to smile at the proud little House Elf, waving a hand in Blaise's direction, "This is Blaise Zabini, the Lord and Lady Zabini's son and Heir."
Dobby turned to the boy sitting – rather relaxed and not at all stiff-and-proper – in the armchair beside Miss Lillian's couch and bowed low, "Master Zabini."
The dark-skinned boy ducked his head in polite acknowledgment, though his eyes glistened in intrigue as he took in the House Elf's unusual attire. The frail-looking creature wore a shimmering black thing that looked as though it were made of silk, the stitching done in a subtle green though the insignia on his chest was done in white: NHB printed in cursive lettering with what looked to be a snake wrapped around the first leg of the 'N' and little ravens taking flight in the loose loops of the 'B'. There was absolutely no mistaking the insignia as anything other than that of the Noble House of Black, which meant there was no mistaking the House Elf as one owned by any other than the sole Heir to the house, Lillian Black herself.
It was relatively unheard of, of someone so young possessing an Elf, almost as unheard of as a House Elf meant 'to not be seen and to always serve' dressed so finely. Blaise undoubtedly wanted to know the story behind such an occurrence, more so about why Lillian took on the House Elf to begin with – for he wasn't at all surprised that Lillian Black would treat a sentient being so kindly, she had, after all, been fondly dubbed the 'Beast Whisperer', and though House Elf's weren't beasts, they were magical creatures deemed by most to be 'lesser'.
"Lord Malfoy wished for me to give you word that he will see both you and Mister Draco during the first Hogsmeade visit. He wished for me to reiterate his command that you maintain the Malfoy image and should any problem arise you inform him immediately and that he as your Magical Guardian, will handle it. He also desires for Dobby to remain at Hogwarts for Miss Lillian's third year so that Dobby may better see to his Miss Lillian's safety."
Smiling with a warm affection Blaise hadn't ever seen on her face before, Lillian couldn't help the visibly displayed fondness she felt towards her Uncle or her Elf; not when in that typical Slytherin way of cunning slyness, her Uncle was setting her up with a direct line to him should she ever need to contact him with expedience – for, as already evidenced, Dobby could apparate within the wards of Hogwarts without issue.
"Would you mind leaving the Malfoy Manor to assist the House Elves here whilst I attend classes, Dobby?"
Dobby smiled, "No, Miss Lillian. Dobby doesn't mind. Dobby likes being close to you, Miss Lillian."
"Well then it's settled, I'll be sure to send a letter in the morning to Lucius explaining my acceptance of your presence. Until then why don't you go meet the other House Elves? Get settled in?"
"Miss Lillian will call for Dobby should she need him?"
Lillian leaned forward to give the house Elf a peck on his nose, much to Dobby's utmost pleasure, "Of course I will Dobby."
"Then have a good night, Miss Lillian." Dobby turned to the ever-quiet Blaise before giving the young wizard another bow, "A good night to you too, Master Zabini."
"You as well, Dobby." Blaise replied with a quiet firmness to his voice, a respectful power to his tone that settled pleasantly with both House Elf and Mistress.
End of Second Year
Beginning of Summer
She had been home for not even two hours when Dobby appeared before her, a sobbing mess, self-inflicted scratches tearing up his sharp face, gouges of red on his protruding collarbones, bruises on his hands and arms as well.
"Dobby!" She gasped in obvious shock, for even in his youngest days – when Lucius had punished the elf whom had yet to learn what was expected of him – Malfoy-inflicted punishments had never been so harsh; not when Lucius knew of Lillian's inescapable fondness for the house elf. "What have you done to yourself?" For she was well aware and completely distraught over the young elf's tendency of taking the smallest misdeed on his part, as a grave transgression against the Malfoy name and thus would proceed to put himself through the most dreadful of punishments.
"I…I…Dobby lied Miss Lillian! Dobby lied real bad!"
Brows furrowed, Lillian couldn't understand the implications behind Dobby's proclamation. Dobby had only ever been the most loyal of house elves – the Malfoy's well aware that Dobby's loyalty mainly aligned to Lillian's blood, but loyalty to her was loyalty to them so they left the elf alone – he did as asked, he never behaved untoward, and he was always honest even in his failings. The only time she had ever witnessed a rebellion on his part was when he stole Harry Potter's letters the summer previous and committed magic against Potter's distant relatives in an attempt to keep the boy from attending their now just completed second year.
"When did you lie, Dobby?"
"Just earlier today, Mistress! Before you left for the train to bring you home!"
Even more confused, Lillian took a seat upon her knees so that she was on better eye-level with Dobby. "For what purpose did you lie, Dobby?"
And with that question, Dobby let out a massive wail, all-encompassing agony ripping past his throat as his hands ripped into his coverings, "Mister Potter slipped a sock in Master Malfoy's black book, a book Master gave to Dobby, D-Dobby made a noise of surprise, Master asked what was wrong with Dobby and Dobby lied! Snapped the book closed and ignored the sock that would give Dobby his freedom!"
Shocked to her very core, Lillian didn't know what to do at first; nor did she know how to feel. Anger was predominant, anger at Potter for daring to enact subterfuge against the Malfoy house, his actions though ignorantly transacted, were a most grave offense to the Malfoy name, could have had the boy brought up on charges of the most serious nature should any within Malfoy Manor choose to do so. Disbelief, disbelief that Dobby wouldn't take that chance for freedom – because though their house elves were treated with respect, Dobby seemed fond of the Potter boy in a way Lillian hadn't seen before, thought maybe Dobby wouldn't mind leaving the Malfoy's to take up position as servant to the Potter Heir. Sadness was present to, she felt sorrow because she could have come home that day to a house devoid of an elf who had been a near constant companion in her life, an elf whom she had helped to raise – was still raising.
She was snapped out of her contemplation when Dobby wailed, "Please don't make me leave, Mistress! Don't make Dobby leave Miss Lillian! Dobby loves Miss Lillian!"
Heart warmed inexplicably by the little Elf's declaration, she pulled his twisting hands from the pillowcase covering his form and tugged him close, wrapping her arms around his thin form and holding tight to his trembling body. "It's okay, my little house elf, my little Dobby; you don't have to go anywhere you do not wish to." She vowed, a thread of magic binding her words, making the little elf stiffen in her arms before slackening so completely as to melt into her robes.
Snot riddled the material of her clothes, but she cared not when confronted with the heartbreaking sound of his sniffles. Brushing her fingers against the wounds she could feel, she healed the marred skin, letting the wounds she couldn't see heal up by way of her magic stretching around her invisibly, until Dobby was encompassed in its' protective embrace.
An immeasurable amount of time later found the little Elf standing on his own before her as she straightened out his clothing, cleaning what filth had managed to discolor the cloth in her time away. "Dobby," Lillian began quietly, "How would you feel if I took on your contract from the Malfoy's?" And asking the Elf's opinion was a must, because however it might seem to those not of pureblood upbringing, the trading of an Elf from one house to another had the potential to wreak utter devastation to a House elf's well-being.
To be sent from one house to another, for an Elf, meant that he or she had inexplicably failed their previous Master; and their perceived inability to please or perform their tasks to suitable expectations would render them failures and inconsolable, something that muggleborn witches like Granger wouldn't ever understand.
Dobby peered up at Lillian with wide, gleaming eyes, "Mistress Lillian would request Dobby to serve upon her and her descendants?" And the distinction Dobby made between her own descendants and those of the House of Black, Lillian made careful notation of. The distinction meant that Dobby only wished to serve those who came from Lillian's womb and her womb alone; it was a very covert way of the Elf asking to serve just her line of Blacks, not the entire House of Blacks. Lillian had never felt so honored before.
"Yes, should Dobby be willing and my contract accepted by Lord Malfoy." Lord Malfoy and not Lucius because they were speaking of official business, not a niece asking of her Uncle a favor or a thing.
"Dobby be very willing, Miss Lillian."
Lillian smiled, "Then I'll do my best." Her best being more than enough for Dobby, because Dobby knew Mistress Lillian's best was better work than any great Lord or Wizard Dobby had ever heard of.
Lillian spent the next three days carefully compiling a contract that left absolutely no question that it was a business dealing, a contract fit to make any seasoned professional impressed; for her terms were concise, the conditions exact, and there was absolutely zero room for interpretation or possible designs of subterfuge. If it were signed then not even her death could tear Dobby the house-elf from his allegiance to Lillian and her future Heirs, and should any other sentient being entitled to the Black name – a being not of her direct bloodline – attempt to command Dobby or steal him away from her or her heirs then nothing could prepare them for the very crippling –physical, mental, and fiscal – end they would meet.
Lucius, who had suspected such a contract would come to his attention when he had noted Dobby's appalled shock at the item presented to him covertly, an item the house elf promptly lied about – had no qualms about signing the contract. Yes, he had most definitely made a show of scrutinizing the meticulous masterpiece of a contract; of pouring over every line, word-by-word, making Lillian wait a good two hours in the interim, him covertly studying her steel-forged unwavering patience for the entirety of her wait before he signed, no hesitation or halt in the loop of his signature.
Lucius had been truly impressed by the construct of her case, had plans to show Draco the file before having the girl teach her cousin just how she had gone about doing such a thing. Lucius might even go so far as to hire the young girl out to compile a few of his less important business contracts for him, just so she didn't lose the sharpness of skill.
It was then, after all that had transpired, that Dobby the House Elf became Dobby Black, Elf to Mistress Lillian of the most Ancient and Noble House of Black and all future and direct descendants of her and any other – kin, child, spouse, or lover – she may call her own. With the addendum that as long as those she called her own treated Dobby and any other House Elf under her possession with the utmost respect.
Reviews:
artandmusicdubs: Their subtlety is totally the point right now, as they're young, Slytherins, and with personalities not really indicative of grand displays of anything (aside from Lillian's blossoming temper). Haha. And Lillian's obliviousness to Blaise's attentions is sort of the greatest appeal, in my opinion, and her inattention to it will totally come into major play in a couple 'years'/'books'. That will change in the future, but not in a tremendously obvious way; what I like about their relationship is that it's understated, it's subtle but meaningful and I want to stick to that tradition throughout the evolution of their relationship.
artandmusicdubs (part II): You are so very welcome! I'm just sorry my updates are taking longer than I ever anticipated. I'm excited for PoA because it marks the beginning of a shift in other student's perception of Lillian. Gotta hate puberty, but it opens up doors for me to explore less controlled avenues of Lillian's personality. I can't say you'll see much of a Hagrid x Slytherin crew bond (that could change depending on the whimsy of my writing), but there will most definitely be a relationship between Hagrid and Lillian.
Owlix: thank you! I do my best to keep to Slytherin mannerisms despite the obvious connection between all of the characters portrayed. One of the biggest reasons I decided to write this story was so that I could explore that side of the Slytherin characters, and to show that those of Slytherin House have way more to give than just cunning and snark.
xXMizz VolturiXx: Yep. Me too!
psycho-babydoll: Nope! This story will never be abandoned, I have too many plans for it. I'm just godawful at keeping my days straight and more time passes between postings than I mean to. But, again, this story won't ever be abandoned, no matter how long I go between postings.
randomgeekygirl: Wasn't planning that bit with the wands at all, but I was proud with how it came out, and thankful that you liked it! ;) There will be plenty of Lillian doing her charming thing of connecting with beasties, I look forward to those interactions as well.
Irelandlover: Woot, woot! :)
Lovelysakura777: Awesomeness to the new account! Like the name. ;) Thanks for allowing me to be one of your favorites! Yes! I've had that Buckbeak encountered planned since before I even seriously began writing the first part of Lillian's story. Here's some more Blaise and Lillian for you! Hope it's enough to make up for the rather not so exciting chapter! Next one will be full of intensity, promise!
jafcbutterfly: Glad you liked it! Sorry this update is so short, the next will be longer! And more intense! Promise!
spyinsecret007: Holy crap! I was completely startled when I read your review! haha. Just was not expecting that! Haha. I'm sorry you hate her, especially since she's kind of vital to the plot line, but who knows, characters vital to the plot line die all the time.
darequeen: Yes! So glad you liked the chapter so much! I know there isn't much to this one, but hopefully you feel the same as last chapter for the next, it'll be exciting. :)
bookangel1624: Yep, still figuring how his lack of death sentence is going to tie into the whole getting Sirius free thing. I've got ideas, but, things have definitely deviated from the original plot. haha. Yes, Lillian has a healthy respect for all Professors (because that's how she was raised) especially those like Hagrid, who handle such dangerous creatures. Plus it's sort of Lillian's thing, being nice to those whom most of magical society shuns.
the girl in yellow: HAHA! There most definitely will be more Lillaize action, believe you me, as they get older their interactions will become more frequent too! I hope this was enough, so far, to settle that desire. There will be more Lillaize next chapter, I think it's rather spectacular, too! ;)
VioletRyu: You're awesome!
Iblamegreenberg: Ah! You're wonderful! Seriously, I'm glad to know my series is one you reread, because I do that to, but only when I can't get enough of a story and so thank you! Yep, the meeting of Little Black and Big Black will most definitely be intense and wrought full of strangling emotions - I'm sure I'll surprise myself with it as much as you all. Thanks so much for your continued patience and encouragement - seriously, it really means a lot to me.
hubbletuff: haha! I love you too! God yes! And it's not so much as a purposeful hiatus, as it is, my days blur together and weeks pass between postings that I feel only should only be three or four days. It's a problem. haha
See ya'll soon!